Rabies, a silent killer in communities, activists call for awareness

The site of a dog or a cat exists in almost every rural or urban household. But do we treat these animals well?  

Animal activists under their umbrella Uganda Veterinary Association have called upon the Government to heighten public awareness that will deliberately persuade people to take care of their household pets (dogs and cats) to curb the spread of rabies. 

Dr. Sylvia Baluka, the president of Uganda Veterinary Association, in a recent interview, said up to 60,000 people reported to Entebbe grade-A hospital with rabies. This figure, she said is almost captured annually. 

Baluka, however, argues that the cases of rabies could be more than what is captured because many people who get exposed to the disease do not make it to the hospital on time, while those that do, do not find the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in the health facilities, thus leading to death. 

Uganda, on Thursday, joined the rest of the world to celebrate world rabies day. The day is meant to create awareness for rabies prevention, among other objectives. This year's theme focuses on vaccination and collaboration.   

Rabies according to the World Health Organisation, is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal.  

In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. Yet, rabies can affect both domestic and wild animals. It is spread to people and animals through bites or scratches, usually via saliva. 

Some of the rabies hotspots in Uganda according to Baluka include Arua, Busia, Kampala, Kiryandongo, Tororo, and Wakiso districts.

These are areas where many people experience most dog bites.  

Whereas the effects of rabies are grave, Baluka on Monday said the cost of the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is still high. These range from USD 10 (sh37,000) to USD 25 (92,500) per shot yet five shots are supposed to be administered to a person who has been exposed to the disease. 

"We need support from all stakeholders to ensure we end rabies by vaccination of dogs, as well as people at risk like veterinary doctors, veterinary students and everybody that owns a dog or cat," she said adding that the cost of vaccination is cheaper than treatment. 

Dr. Emily Mudoga, a companion animals' manager at World Animal Protection, an international not for profit animal welfare organisation said rabies had initialy not been made a priority or reportable disease. however, the status quo is changing.  

With support from GAVI (THE Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation), Mudoga said the vaccines will be made available within all health facilities. 

"Rabies is entirely preventable and can be eliminated only if we focus on dogs. Without swift treatment, this disease is fatal, yet unlike many diseases, is preventable with the right course of action," she said. 

Approximately 150 people die of rabies every day. These are mainly children under the age of 15.  

Dr. Winfred Opira, a regulatory officer at the National Drug Authority said rabies can be controlled if we vaccinate about 70% of dogs in our population. 

Although dogs are the main animals that transmit the disease, Opira said animals like cats, bats, cattle, and goats also get rabies and can transmit the virus. 

He said Uganda has so far reached 50% of its vaccination target and estimates that the country will be able to eliminate the disease by 2030. 

For those that have been beaten by a dog, Opira recommends, "Wash the wound with a lot of water and soap then look for the nearest community veterinary officer.

This person has the ability to assess whether the dog that bit you had the rabies virus or not.

The vet officer will also recommend whether you need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis."