Dr. Fosuhene Kusi, the Techiman Municipal Director of Health Services, has urged residents of Tanoso, a suburb of Techiman, to be alert to the potential risk of rabies in the area following the tragic death of a 23-year-old pregnant woman from the community.
In an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Kusi confirmed that this case comes after two children in the Techiman Municipality had also died from rabies earlier this year, highlighting the urgency for immediate action. The latest incident involved the pregnant woman, who reportedly was bitten by a dog in Tanoso. However, she did not seek medical attention until it was too late, after showing symptoms such as aggression and photosensitivity, which are typical of rabies.
Dr. Kusi explained that had the victim sought medical care sooner, there were rabies antibodies available that could have potentially saved her life. Unfortunately, by the time she visited the hospital, the disease had progressed too far, and she was transferred to the Bono Regional Hospital in Sunyani, where she passed away.
He emphasized that rabies is a fatal viral disease with no known cure, and it is crucial for anyone bitten by a dog to seek medical treatment immediately. “Early intervention could have made a difference in this case,” he said.
Dr. Kusi also called on dog owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated annually to prevent rabies outbreaks. He urged people who are bitten by dogs to report to health facilities without delay for immediate treatment. Additionally, he appealed to veterinary authorities to increase efforts in vaccinating dogs and enforcing legal actions against those who fail to comply with vaccination laws.
He concluded by reminding the public that vaccinating pets, including dogs, is required by law, and failure to do so is a violation of the law. “Let’s all make it a priority to vaccinate our pets for the safety of our communities,” he urged.
