The Chairman of Rabies in West Africa (RIWA-Ghana), Dr. Richard D Suu-ire has disclosed that one person loses his life as a result of rabies globally in every 15 minutes.
Ninety-nine per cent of them are bitten by dogs. Forty per cent of the deaths are children who are under 15 years of age.
Speaking at the World Rabies Day held at Lawra in the Upper West region, he stated that early medical attention is key in saving lives of rabies-infected victims.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in warm-blooded animals. The disease is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from one specie to another, such as from dogs to farm animals, commonly by a bite from an infected animal.
For a human, rabies is almost invariably fatal if post-exposure prophylaxis is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms.
World Rabies Day is therefore held every year to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals, provide information and advice on how to prevent the disease and how individuals and organizations can eliminate the main global sources.
Events held to mark World Rabies Day range from symposia on current rabies control methods and public events for raising awareness about good prevention practices, to sponsored walks, runs or bike rides, to free or externally-subsidized vaccination clinics for dogs.
This year's event was held in the Lawra Municipality of the Upper West Region on the theme: ‘End Rabies-Collaborate, Vaccinate.’
The Deputy Minister For Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Lawra, Anthony Nyoh Abayifaa Karbo who was the special guest of honour noted that pets for that matter dogs are integral parts of the society and hence the need for all shoulders to be on the wheel to ensure that rabies is eradicated completely.
The occasion was chaired by the paramount chief of the Lawra traditional area, Naa Puowelle Karbo III.
Latest Stories
-
Adomaa Adjeman to make theatre debut as Aku Sika in Prof Martin Owusu’s epic
2 mins -
U.S. government supports Ghanaian partners to protect Intellectual Property
7 mins -
Eric Johnson
13 mins -
Tanzania denies abuse reports as World Bank halts funds
22 mins -
2024 polls: The person I defeated twice can’t succeed me – Akufo-Addo
28 mins -
NBA: Miami Heat beat Boston Celtics to even series
37 mins -
Two sentenced for stealing over 1,000 bags of rice
42 mins -
Zulu monarchy in row over king’s praise singer
46 mins -
Xavi to remain as Barcelona coach until at least June 2025
48 mins -
2Pac’s estate threatens to sue Drake over use of late rapper’s AI-generated voice
49 mins -
Yaw Nsarkoh: The President’s letter on the KPMG (SML) Report
50 mins -
Manasseh’s praise and criticism of Akufo-Addo’s action on the SML scandal
55 mins -
KPMG’s report confirms we haven’t been paid $100m – SML
59 mins -
SML refutes KPMG’s claim of GH¢1bn payment, says it’s inaccurate
1 hour -
Mahama’s speech at Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s unveiling as his running-mate
1 hour