How stray dogs have become a threat in Zombo

By the time  Grace Agwokotho, The Catechist of Christ the King Catholic chapel in Paidha Town Council Zombo District went for a school meeting at Mvule Primary School., He left his child playing in his compound with a colleague at Alengukuma cell, central ward of Paidha Town Council. 

Shortly after some minutes , Agwokotho received a call from some people that his child and a friend were badly bitten by a stray dog and they were vomiting profusely. He rushed home within the shortest time possible only to find out that the kids were paralyzed and facing breathing difficulties. 

He rushed with the minors to Paidha Health Center III from where they were referred to Goli Health Center IV, where the kids are receiving treatment.

” I have realized that dog bites are dangerous, within a minute, the kids were almost dying thanks to God that we rushed them to Goli Health Center IV where their conditions are improving” Agwokotho told whispereye news in an interview yesterday.

He said the children after regaining consciousness,  complained of body itching, prickling, tingling, high fever, and muscle aches amongst others which according to the World Health Organization are some of the common signs of rabies disease.

He added that the dog might have had rabies given the swift deteriorating health condition of the victims. He has appealed to the district leadership to ” ensure everyone vaccinate his or her animals” to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies.

 Joyce Akum, a mother to one of the victims said “My son is equally recovering because by the time we rushed them here, their conditions were alarming”.

Mr Aldo Okumu from the neighbourhood was complaining about how he lost his five goats to stray dogs who bit the animals and left them dead.

He also blamed the incident increasing number of stray dogs most of which are unvaccinated in the area.

The LC1 Chairperson of Alengukuma cell Haruna Anegu blames the incident on the failure to vaccinate pets.

Anegu said “The cases of dog bites are becoming common here, the only solution to it is enforcement of the vaccination of these animals”

The stray dog that went on a rampage roaring around the village was killed and its head was taken as a Sample at Paidha Town Council Veterinary Department offices for study.

An official attached to the Paidha Town Council Veterinary Department said an announcement was made several times about animal vaccination but few people are taking the exercise seriously.

Cases of dog bites have become common in Zombo with locals making phone calls to report the cases mainly on local radios.

Despite PEP being almost 100 per cent effective in treatment against pets, only 2 out of 10 dog bite victims access it veterinary experts say.

Dr Walter Kumakech, The District veterinary officer recently rallied people to present their animals for vaccination.

Whilst speaking at a function in Warr Town Council recently Kumakech said “Ensure that your animals are vaccinated,  It’s free of charge”.

On average, about 13,000 suspected rabies cases are recorded annually through the Uganda health management system, out of which  32 people and 130 animals die of rabies disease in Uganda respectively, according to the Uganda Veterinary Association.