The villages of Ba Nsiengwon and Bukwon, in Ifiofa territory, have recently been the scene of a series of dog attacks which resulted in the death of three people. Over the past month, around twenty people have been bitten by these animals, and unfortunately, two men and a woman have succumbed to their injuries.
According to provincial health minister Dr Bena Mutuyi, these bite cases occurred after a dog migrated from the first to the second village, thus infecting more people. The survivors were placed under observation for two weeks, but after 21 days they began to show symptoms of rabies.
In order to help the survivors, the Minister of Health ordered thirty doses of rabies vaccines to treat the sick. However, this will not be enough to cure everyone who has been infected. A request was made to the national government and technical and financial partners, including WHO, for additional support.
In addition to treating the sick, it is also necessary to organize a vaccination campaign for all dogs in the affected villages and their surroundings. This is underlined by the president of the Kwilu civil society consultation framework, Placide Mukwa, who insists on the importance of protecting not only people, but also the animals living in these communities.
For now, the survivors continue to live in their communities, awaiting medical treatment. However, it is imperative to isolate them and provide the necessary care to prevent any spread of the disease.
This alarming situation highlights the importance of increased awareness of the risks associated with dog bites and rabies. It is crucial to put in place prevention and control measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, it is essential to take immediate action to protect the population from dog bites and prevent the spread of rabies. This involves vaccinating animals and raising community awareness of the associated risks