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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A five-year-old boy died last week in Silobela from suspected rabies following the outbreak of the non-curable disease in Silobela and Zhombe, an official has said.
The boy allegedly failed to get prompt medical attention after a dog bite. Kwekwe District Animal Health inspector Ms Dubekile Mabhena confirmed the outbreak and the child’s death.
“I want to warn councillors and all respective authorities here that there is an outbreak of the deadly rabies. It is unfortunate we have already lost the life of a five-year-old in Silobela under Chief Malisa due to the disease,” said Ms Mabhena.
She said they were facing challenges in vaccinating dogs as dog owners were not forthcoming.
“We have already started the vaccination exercise but we are facing challenges as people are not forthcoming. In Silobela alone, from our census we gathered that there are 3 096 dogs, but out of all those dogs, only 20 have been vaccinated,” she said.
Ms Mabhena said they have embarked on an awareness campaign to educate the public about the disease.
“We are focusing on its causes, symptoms and how best to attend to someone who has been diagnosed of the disease. We are also focusing on encouraging dog owners to get their dogs vaccinated,” she said.
Midlands Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr Daniel Hove said investigations were under way to establish what might have caused the outbreak.
He said they have engaged other Government departments to stop the diseases from spreading to other parts of the Midlands Province. Kwekwe District Administrator Mr Fortune Mpungu who chairs the District CPU confirmed receiving reports of the outbreak and urged members of the public to comply with authorities.
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