By Michael Gwarisa
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised alarm over the increasing number of dog bites, with a significant proportion of these bites attributed to unvaccinated dogs.
According to the Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending January 5, 2025, a total of 635 dog bite cases were reported, with no deaths recorded. Of these cases, 141 (22%) involved vaccinated dogs, 118 (18%) involved unvaccinated dogs, and 366 (60%) involved dogs of unknown vaccination status.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Isaac Phiri, the Acting Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health, attributed the rise in dog bites to the growing population of unattended dogs.
Of note is the population of dogs, which has increased. The number of dogs has risen in all towns, and we see more dogs roaming the streets in complete disregard of standing city and municipal bylaws,” said Dr. Phiri.
“As a ministry, we track dog bites weekly and pay particular attention to whether the dog was vaccinated against rabies or if the status is unknown. This is important because people bitten by aggressive dogs need the anti-rabies vaccine to prevent rabies.”
The report highlighted that the highest number of dog bite cases this week were recorded in Masvingo Province (136) and Mashonaland East Province (112). The cumulative figures for the week stood at 635 cases, with no fatalities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually across more than 150 countries, with 95% of these cases occurring in Africa and Asia. Due to underreporting and limited surveillance systems, this number is believed to be underestimated. Rural and impoverished populations bear the brunt of the disease, with nearly half of the cases involving children under 15 years of age.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly via bites. The virus travels through the peripheral nerves to the brain, causing inflammation and leading to death if left untreated.
Initial symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, headache, and weakness, which progress to neurological symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
