A dog bite that appears minor can have severe consequences if not treated promptly, according to Rosebella Ochango, a veterinary professional and business developer at PetStore Kenya. Rabies is preventable, but once clinical symptoms appear, it is virtually 100 per cent fatal. In Kenya, the disease is estimated to kill about 2,000 people each year, mostly after dog bites.
Ochango advises that anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially infected animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes before seeking medical care. She emphasizes that it is crucial to treat it as a medical emergency and not wait for symptoms to appear. Additionally, people should not apply substances or traditional remedies to the wound or assume an animal is safe because it appears healthy.
The World Health Organization recommends immediate wound washing followed by professional assessment to determine whether post-exposure treatment is required. Dogs account for up to 99 per cent of human rabies transmission globally, making vaccination and responsible ownership central to preventing infections.
Ochango advises dog owners to keep animals vaccinated, control their movement, and maintain regular veterinary care. She notes that vaccinating a dog protects that animal while also reducing the risk to the family and the wider community. This approach is part of Kenya's national strategy to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.
Kenya's national strategy includes vaccinating at least 70 per cent of dogs in at-risk populations, improving access to post-exposure treatment, and strengthening public awareness and surveillance. Machakos is among the counties involved in efforts to expand vaccination coverage. Free mass dog vaccination campaigns were conducted in the county between 2021 and 2024 through collaboration between the International Livestock Research Institute, Veterinarians Without Borders Germany, and the county government.
Public education remains important because misconceptions can lead people to underestimate the danger posed by bites and scratches. Ochango urges people not to guess and instead act promptly if they have been exposed to the virus. A person should also seek medical assessment after a scratch or other contact that could have exposed them to the virus, rather than waiting to see whether the animal develops symptoms.
If the animal can be safely identified and contained, Ochango advises reporting it to veterinary or public-health authorities so it can be assessed under appropriate supervision. The message comes days after World Rabies Day on September 28, whose 2026 theme was “Stronger Together”.
Key points
- Rabies is preventable, but once clinical symptoms appear, it is virtually 100 per cent fatal.
- Dogs account for up to 99 per cent of human rabies transmission globally.
- Kenya aims to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.
