The Volta Regional Chairman of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr Bright Danyo, has called on the public to support efforts to reduce rabies deaths by ensuring that dogs are vaccinated. He made the call in an interview in Ho last Wednesday, September 30, to mark World Rabies Day. Dr Danyo emphasized the importance of vaccinating dogs to prevent rabies deaths. Ghana has an estimated 2.5 million dogs, and vaccinating at least 70 per cent of them is crucial to achieving the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.
Dr Danyo expressed concern about stray dogs in various communities in the Volta Region, posing a particular danger to children. According to him, children are especially vulnerable because they are often at eye level with dogs. Consequently, bites could occur around the face and head, allowing the rabies virus to reach the brain quickly. Dr Danyo noted that as soon as clinical symptoms appear, the disease is 100 per cent fatal. However, he also mentioned that rabies is preventable through appropriate post-exposure care, including timely vaccination.
Dr Danyo described rabies as a major public health concern, noting that people at increased risk include children, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, travellers to high-risk areas, and mortuary workers. He said symptoms of rabies could include fever, nausea, itching, aggression, hypertension, coma, and ultimately, death. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through bites and scratches from infected animals, particularly dogs, and through contact with infected saliva with broken skin or mucous membranes.
Dr Danyo emphasized that children are particularly at risk because they may have difficulty recognising the danger posed by stray dogs, playing outdoors, and might not report bites or scratches. He said about 95 per cent of human rabies cases are associated with infected dogs, adding that millions of dogs in Ghana remain unvaccinated, despite the need to reach the 70 per cent vaccination threshold to interrupt transmission.
Dr Danyo also cautioned that puppies can transmit rabies and urged dog owners not to assume that young dogs are safe. He stressed that rabies elimination needs adequate and long-term investments. According to him, rabies-related deaths are preventable and called for a concerted effort to end them. The campaign to reduce rabies deaths is on the theme: “Stronger Together.”
Dr Danyo called on all stakeholders, including dog owners, community leaders, animal and human health professionals, and the government, to join the campaign. He urged them to support efforts to vaccinate dogs and prevent rabies deaths. By working together, Ghana can achieve the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.
The Paediatric Society of Ghana and other stakeholders are working to raise awareness about the importance of vaccinating dogs to prevent rabies deaths. The goal is to encourage dog owners to vaccinate their pets and to promote a culture of responsible pet ownership. By vaccinating dogs and taking other preventive measures, Ghana can reduce the risk of rabies transmission and ultimately eliminate the disease.
Key points
- Dr Danyo urges the public to support efforts to reduce rabies deaths by vaccinating dogs in Ghana.
- Ghana has an estimated 2.5 million dogs, and vaccinating at least 70 per cent of them is crucial to achieving the global target of zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.
- Rabies is preventable through appropriate post-exposure care, including timely vaccination.
