The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Bongo District has recorded five rabies deaths following dog bites between June 2025 and October 2026. The victims included four children aged between one and 15 years, a situation the GHS said required urgent public attention. This alarming trend has prompted health officials to intensify public education on rabies prevention and responsible animal handling.
According to the District Disease Control Officer, Madam Clotilda Asobuno, the deaths were among 115 reported dog-bite cases across the district. Bongo Central recorded 41 cases and four deaths, while Bongo-Soe recorded 27 cases and one death involving a 65-year-old person. The GHS collaborated with local stakeholders, including Bongo Junior High School, the District Assembly, Veterinary Services, and Environmental Health officers, to educate the public on rabies prevention.
As part of the activities to mark World Rabies Day, participants embarked on a float through the streets of Bongo, displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Rabies is preventable, let’s work together to end it” and “End rabies in our community.” The observance, originally scheduled for September 28, was postponed due to a ban on noisemaking in the district. The event aimed to raise awareness about rabies prevention and promote responsible animal handling.
Madam Asobuno described the number of reported cases as alarming, adding that there could be more unreported cases. She urged residents to ensure that their dogs were vaccinated and to seek immediate medical attention after being bitten by an animal suspected of carrying rabies. The GHS, in collaboration with Zipline, had arrangements to supply anti-rabies vaccines for humans, but shortages could sometimes occur.
The human anti-rabies vaccine could cost between GH¢800 and GH¢1,000 on the open market, making it inaccessible to many residents. However, vaccination for dogs was available at a reduced cost of about GH¢30 through the Veterinary Services Department. Madam Asobuno encouraged residents to have their dogs vaccinated and to report dog-bite incidents to health facilities promptly.
Madam Asobuno emphasized that rabies was almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms appeared, making early intervention critical. Symptoms, including aggressive behavior, abnormal barking, and headaches, could indicate the onset of the disease, at which stage vaccination would no longer be effective. The GHS called on residents to vaccinate their dogs, promptly report dog-bite incidents, and cooperate with veterinary authorities to prevent further rabies deaths in the district.
The GHS and other stakeholders are working together to prevent further rabies deaths in the district. Residents are being encouraged to take responsibility for their pets and report any incidents of dog bites to health facilities. By working together, the goal is to end rabies in the community and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Key points
- Four children are among five people who have died from rabies in Ghana's Bongo district after being bitten by dogs.
- The Ghana Health Service has recorded 115 dog-bite cases across the district, with the majority of cases reported in Bongo Central and Bongo-Soe.
- Health officials are urging residents to vaccinate their dogs and seek immediate medical attention after being bitten by an animal suspected of carrying rabies.
