By JACKSON MAPAPAYI
AUTHORITIES in North-Western Province have disclosed that there is an outbreak of rabies in dogs and goats in the region.
Provincial Veterinary officer Dr Peter Banda said there are confirmed cases of rabies in dogs in Solwezi and Mufumbwe while Mwinilunga and Ikelenge have been confirmed with both dogs and goat’s rabies.
Dr Banda revealed that so far, six deaths in goats and four in dogs in Mwinilunga and Ikelenge have been confirmed following bites from jackals and foxes early this month.
He said in Solwezi and Mufumbwe, the outbreak is as a result of dog to dog bite transmission.
He said during field investigations in Mwinilunga and Ikelenge, it was discovered that members of the community were actually selling and slaughtering the sick goats for consumption.
“Therefore, the department hereby advises the general public to completely avoid contact with goats and any other animal showing such signs as doing so would expose them to rabies virus,” said Dr Banda.
He said the department is doing everything possible to bring the situation under control.
“To this effect, the department has taken a multi sector approach to prevent and control further sprees of the disease and preserve human life by working with the provincial and district administrations, ministry of Health, local authorities, department of national parks and wildlife, Zambia police among others to control the situation,” he said. Dr Banda also said the mobilisation towards both dogs and domestic animal vaccination has since commenced.
North- Western in rabies outbreak
