The Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of livestock, Dr. Hannah Bissiw, has advised Ghanaians to vaccinate their pets to help in the fight against rabies.
Dr. Bissiw told Citi News that government is doing what it can in the fight but Ghanaians must also take part by vaccinating their pets.
[contextly_sidebar id=”lEpWq3Hqzkl8zDUESTc6cV8pseAO8sON”]“Government is already subsidizing the vaccines so we keep on doing the advocacy and ask Ghanaians to vaccinate their pets,” she said.
The Deputy Minister also admonished that anyone who has been bitten by a dog, a cat or a monkey should seek medical attention.
“Anyone who is bitten by a dog, a cat or a monkey should report to the medics. After 14 days we should be able to tell whether the animal had rabies or not. Sometimes, we extend to 21 days to see whether the animals will die or not. We should be cautious of every disease that we can get from animals.”
Rabies is a contagious and fatal viral disease of dogs and other mammals, transmissible through the saliva to humans and causing madness and convulsions.
More funding needed to combat rabies
Dr. Hannah Bissiw had earlier said Ghana still had much to do in the fight against rabies.
According to her, “until we vaccinate about 80 percent of our pets and the susceptible animals, we are definitely not there yet.”
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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana