12-year-old boy dies from Rabies

A 12-year-old boy has died from rabies at Effiduase in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region.

The victim, a junior high school student, was bitten by a dog on October 6, 2024, but it was not until February 12, 2025, that he was sent to the hospital after his condition had worsened.

Though there were efforts to save him, it was too late as he succumbed to the disease and it is the second incident to have been reported from the district.

Already this year, five cases have been reported in the region, placing health authorities on high alert.

The disease

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans.

It is caused by the rabies virus, which is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via bites, scratches or open wounds.

Early symptoms can be Fever, headache, weakness or discomfort.

Growing concerns, cause

This latest incident has heightened concerns about the rising cases of rabies in the Ashanti Region among health officials and veterinary officers who say pet owners were not being cooperative in trying to bring this threat under control.

They said while pet owners were not willingly presenting their pets, particularly, dogs for vaccination, victims were also not reporting dog bites, nor were they seeking early medication attention.

The Ashanti Regional Veterinary Director, Dr Mabel Abudu, was worried that the situation was getting worse because stray dogs who had not been vaccinated were a common phenomenon in many parts of the region.

Dr Abudu also blamed the issue on inadequate awareness creation and education due to the lack of logistics, human resources and essential support, which hindered efforts to raise awareness and conduct vaccination exercises.

She said pet owners were also reluctant to bring them for immunisation because they had to pay for the services, a situation which was hampering effective immunisation programme.

Free vaccination

The Ashanti Regional Veterinary Director, therefore, suggested government intervention to help curb the tide, stressing that without adequate government support, rabies cases would continue to rise, posing a significant public health risk.

“Though we encourage pet owners to bring their pets for immunisation, as it is their responsibility, most of these individuals are reluctant because they cannot afford the cost. Even when we charge as little as GH₵ 10 or GH₵ 15 per animal, many are unable to pay.

“Perhaps, it is about time the government considered setting aside a percentage of funds monthly for purchasing vaccines and other necessary logistical equipment so the vaccination exercise, particularly in the rural areas, can be carried out,” she stated.