Rabies danger: Over 70 percent of Midlands dogs unvaccinated

A severe shortage of rabies vaccination drugs across the Midlands Province has been linked to recent fatalities, with the lack of essential treatment forcing victims to seek unaffordable private care. The tragic consequences of this crisis were starkly highlighted by the recent death of an 11-year-old girl in Gokwe South.

The child succumbed to the disease after the local district hospital was reportedly unable to provide the necessary four-dose course. Her parents were locked out of life-saving treatment due to the prohibitive cost of US$120 in the private sector, a fee many residents in the province cannot meet.

Compounding the crisis, over 70 percent of dogs in the Midlands Province remain unvaccinated. Vaccination is free, with dog owners only required to pay US$1 for stationery or registration.

This situation was highlighted during the Midlands Provincial Rabies Advocacy and Stakeholders Sensitisation Meeting held at the Government Complex on Friday. The meeting followed a notable rise in dog bite incidents across the province, increasing the risk of rabies exposure.

Stakeholders warned that the low vaccination coverage has weakened herd immunity, placing communities — especially children, frontline workers and vulnerable groups — at heightened risk.

Dr Reginald Mnene, the Provincial Epidemiology and All Diseases Control Officer (Pedco, described rabies as an infectious viral zoonotic disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

“Our province faces a dynamic health environment shaped by evolving disease patterns, demographic shifts, and social determinants of health. While we have made meaningful progress, gaps remain — particularly in access to anti-rabies vaccines and other preventive services. Today, we are not here to assign blame, but to co-create solutions that are feasible, scalable and sustainable for our province,” he said.

Dr Mnene said that rabies is primarily transmitted through bites from infected animals, typically dogs, and can also spread through saliva contact with mucous membranes or open wounds.

“This meeting comes amid a rise in dog bite cases. In week 36 of 2025, 66 cases were reported, most involving dogs with unknown vaccination status, thereby increasing the risk of rabies exposure,” he said.

He urged communities to adopt preventive measures such as pre- and post-exposure vaccination for humans, mass vaccination of dogs and other reservoir species, immediate wound washing with soap and water after exposure, and timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

“However, many clients are unable to afford the anti-rabies vaccine, which costs US$120 for the full four-dose course. This has led to cases where treatment is either not started or not completed,” he said.

The situation in Midlands Province underscores the urgent need for improved access to affordable rabies vaccines for both humans and animals to prevent further fatalities and outbreaks.

Dr Mnene noted that rabies vaccines were at present unavailable in provincial pharmacies and called for the establishment of a resource mobilisation committee to secure the necessary supplies. “As you can all appreciate, the response to rabies requires a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach. Government alone cannot win the fight against this deadly disease. I am confident that this meeting will help us develop effective strategies to protect our vulnerable communities from rabies.

“Our collective impact depends on our ability to move from dialogue to delivery. I challenge each of us to leave this room with renewed commitment, clear next steps, and a willingness to collaborate across sectors. The health of our people depends on it,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Environmental Health Officer confirmed the death of the 11-year-old girl in Gokwe South District.

“I was in Gokwe South where an 11-year-old girl was bitten by a stray dog. She was taken to the district hospital for treatment but could not receive any rabies shots because the hospital had none. After about three days, she sadly succumbed to rabies. Her parents could not afford the vaccine from private pharmacies,” he said.

Midlands Provincial Health Promotion Officer Mr Ishmael Mavenyengwa said the meeting resolved that all local authorities should begin a ‘shoot and kill’ campaign targeting stray dogs, while ensuring that dog owners are instructed to restrain their pets.

“We must undertake a mass vaccination campaign for dogs, led by the veterinary services and local authorities. There is also a need to revive provincial sensitisation meetings and address the vaccine shortage,” he said.