Rabies kills five in Kapchorwa district

By Rashid Muzungyo FOUR children and a woman have died of rabies in Kapchorwa district. The acting district veterinary officer, Dr. Nelson Yesho, said the children were bitten by rabied dogs in separate incidents. He said the deaths occurred between July and October this year. “We have registered an outbreak of the disease in the district. At least five to six cases of dog bites are reported per week,” Yesho said recently. He said official records show an increasing number of dog bites in various parts of the district. He said 20 cases of dog bites, four of cats and one of a goat infected with rabies were recently reported to the district veterinary headquarters. He said the first child died in Kabeywa in Sipi sub-county in Tingey county in July this year. He said the second and third child died in Tegeres sub-county in Tingey county last October. He added that the forth child died in Kaproron sub- county in Kween county. Kapchorwa district leaders recently asked the district veterinary officer to organise a mass vaccination for all dogs in the district. The leaders, who were attending a one-day workshop on sustainable outreach health services in rural areas, recommended that all vaccinated dog owners be issued with certificates. The workshop funded by UNICEF recommended that all unvaccinated dogs be destroyed in the district. Yesho said the district has about 9,000 dogs.