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A DOG infected with rabies attacked 23 Marondera residents in Zimbabwe leading to the death of three of its victims in an incident that has left many shocked in the town.
Mashonaland East provincial medical director Simukai Zizhou yesterday confirmed the tragic events, saying the Department of Veterinary Services was vaccinating dogs in Marondera to avoid a spread of the disease.
“I can confirm that three people died after succumbing to rabies after a rabid dog bit 13 people in Marondera on April 3,” he said.
“One person died in hospital, while the other two died at their homes. The remaining 10 victims were treated. We alerted the Department of Veterinary Services about the issue and I am hopeful that they got rid of the dog. Currently, the veterinary officials have embarked on a vaccination exercise. All dogs in Marondera are to be vaccinated.”
Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals.
Early symptoms can include fever and tingling at the site of exposure.
These symptoms are followed by one or more of the following: Violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion and loss of consciousness.
According to reports, rabies causes about 26 000 to 55 000 deaths worldwide per year. More than 95% of these deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
Newsday
