Out of the 31 instances of rabies that have been reported in nine areas this year, 26 people have died from the disease.
The Greater Region has seen the greatest number of deaths—six—while the Central and North East regions have recorded four deaths, respectively.
There were three rabies deaths in the Western Region, two in the Western North and Upper West, and one each in the Eastern, Ashanti, and Upper East areas.
Dr. Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Veterinary Department, revealed this information last Thursday at the Accra inauguration of World Rabies Day (WBD), which has as its subject “Breaking Rabies Boundaries.”
WBD, which is observed on September 28 every year, attempts to raise awareness of the illness, which is still considered a concern to global public health and is thought to be responsible for over 55,000 fatalities yearly, with 56% of those deaths occurring in Africa.
Dr. Allegye-Cudjoe voiced concern about the rising number of vaccinated and stray dogs, especially in large, metropolitan areas like Accra and Kumasi where significant rabies cases have been documented.
Between 2009 and 2011, rabies-related deaths in humans increased from 25 to 57. By 2023, there were 331 suspected cases, with the Greater Accra Region accounting for 112 cases. Between 2020 and 2023, 793 cases were reported, resulting in 77 fatalities. The Chief Veterinary Officer attributed the increase to ignorance and carelessness among pet owners regarding vaccination and confinement.
The Department announced a pet vaccination campaign, providing free or inexpensive vaccines and raising rabies awareness. Over one million doses have been obtained, and experts are pushing for the Animal Act review under the Animal Health Bill 2020.
