The number of people killed by rabies in 2023, in the province of Huambo, increased by 40 percent, compared to the same previous period, ANGOP learned yesterday, Wednesday.
According to Juliana Mafuca, deputy coordinator of the Fight against Rabies program in the center of the country, at least 30 people, mostly under 15 years of age, died after being bitten by dogs not vaccinated against the disease. She reported that the deaths resulted from a total of four thousand 733 canine bites.
The veterinarian highlighted the neighborhoods of Benfica, Bom Pastor, Capango, Chiva, Chivela, São Luís, São João, São José and Munda Paiva, surroundings and outskirts of the city of Huambo, as the areas with the highest cases of rabies.
He said these are high numbers, which result in low adoption by breeders in routine vaccination campaigns in peri-urban and suburban areas and, mainly, in rural communities, which use canines for hunting activities, where, in many cases maintain contact with other animals affected by rabies.
He reported that the Veterinary Service, despite the lack of a vaccination campaign, had immunized, in 2023, four thousand and 932 animals, including dogs, cats and monkeys, in the municipalities of Chinjenje, Chicala-Cholohanga, Huambo and Mungo, in addition to applying the anti-rabies serum to 630 people.
Juliana Mafuca appealed to citizens to seek the nearest local Veterinary Service, in case of a bite, so as not to worsen the situation, which could develop into tetanus or other complications.
He also urged the inclusion of veterinarians in municipal administrations during vaccination campaigns, scheduled for this year, as well as the adoption of strategies for collecting animals from the streets and raising awareness about compliance with the vaccination schedule.
Considering the number of inhabitants of the province of Huambo, estimated at more than 2 million and 700 thousand, this region of the country may have at least 100 thousand canines, however the local Veterinary Service controls only 16 thousand animals.
It is a disease caused by a virus that infects domestic and wild animals, and is transmitted to people through contact with infected saliva, through bites or scratches, with dogs being the main transmitters.
It can be fatal in almost 100% of cases. The rabies virus is attracted to the central nervous system, often lodging itself in the brain, after a long journey through the peripheral nerves. Once neurological symptoms begin, the patient dies in 99.99% of cases.