A man aged 42 years succumbed to rabies after sustaining dog bite wounds from a stray dog in Ruai, Nairobi. This has led to more calls for quick medical attention after animal attacks as well as more stringent rabies control measures.
The deceased, Peter Wachira, was attacked in November on his farm in Ruai. He had a run, in with a stray dog that was feeding on his ducks. Wachira was bitten by the dog, but it was only after a few weeks that he fell ill. Eventually, he started showing symptoms strongly associated with rabies.
He was taken to hospital, however, he passed away due to the disease that can be prevented with the right post, exposure medical treatment given on time. According to health officials, once the symptoms of rabies manifest, the disease is almost certainly fatal, which is why they emphasize the importance of getting immediate medical treatment after being bitten by an animal.
As a way of mitigating the situation, the Nairobi County Government has publicized its intention to carry out a free rabies vaccination exercise coupled with a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the dangers of rabies and also the urgency of getting treatment right after a dog bite.
Ruai residents have claimed that there have been previous reports of rabies cases in the locality and hence are demanding more intensified sensitisation efforts from the government agencies.
