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Midlands Bureau
A five-year-old boy from Silobela died after being bitten by a dog affected by rabies, as the veterinary service department is battling to control the disease in Kwekwe District. Kwekwe District animal health inspector Ms Dubekile Mabhena, confirmed the boy’s death, saying they had embarked on vaccination of dogs in the area to contain the disease.

“There is a deadly rabies outbreak in Kwekwe District, especially in Silobela. It is unfortunate that we have already lost a child in Silobela under Chief Malisa due to the disease,” she said.

Ms Mabhena said the veterinary department was facing challenges in vaccinating dogs as the owners were not responding. She said the veterinary services department was conducting awareness campaigns, with some of the affected dogs being put down.

“In the campaign, we are focusing on the causes, symptoms and how best to attend to someone who has been affected by the disease. We are also encouraging dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated,” said Ms Mabhena.

Ms Mabhena said there were over 3 000 dogs in Silobela alone, and less than 20 had been vaccinated.

“During our last census, we gathered that there are 3 096 dogs, but out of those, only 20 have been vaccinated so far,” she said.

Midlands provincial veterinary officer Dr Daniel Hove said investigations were under way to establish what might have caused rabies outbreak in Kwekwe. He said they engaged other Government departments to try and curb the spreading of the disease to other parts of the province.