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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
EIGHTEEN people have died of rabies after being bitten by rabid dogs in three hotspot districts of Mashonaland West Province. At least 34 rabies cases have been reported in Chegutu, Hurungwe, Makonde, Zvimba and Sanyati districts since 2013.

This means that more than half of the people affected by rabies went on to die amid concerns of lack of knowledge among the people on appropriate remedial action to take when bitten.

Accessibility and willingness of people to vaccinate their pets is also cited as a reason for rabies cases. Kariba and Mhondoro districts have not recorded any rabies cases during the period.

This calls for more effort to vaccinate dogs as the cost of treatment once bitten is high compared to prevention. A person bitten by a dog should get treatment within 72 hours or they die.

Vaccination costs $1 while full treatment costs $120 after four doses. Mashonaland West provincial epidemiology and disease control officer Dr Gift Masoja said communities should take a leading role to prevent and control rabies.

“Preventing and controlling rabies begins at the community level, where people can take the necessary steps to keep themselves, their family and pets free from rabies,” said Dr Masoja.

“Community health officials play an instrumental role in making sure people have the ability to take action and learn just how deadly rabies can be.”

In 2016, seven children were bitten by a rabies infected dog at Sutton Mine in Mutorashanga.

They were however, treated at total cost of $840 and there are fears that the treatment might not be readily available at most health centres.

Worryingly, of the 10 cases reported in Zvimba in 2013, eight ended fatally.

At least one person has so far died in Hurungwe this year.

Zimbabwe, in line with global targets, intends to eradicate rabies by 2030.

At least 55 000 people die from rabies, mostly in Africa and Asia annually.

Rabies is mostly caused by dogs and children are most at risk of being bitten by dogs and contracting the deadly disease.

“Severe exposure makes it more difficult to prevent rabies, unless access to good medical care is immediately availed,” said Dr Masoja.

“This major cause of rabies (dog bites) in humans can be eliminated through ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control, educating those at risk and enhancing access for those bitten to appropriate medical care.”