Rabies cases are dangerous - Vet. warns

Accra, April 21, GNA - Only about 10 per cent of rabies cases in humans can be treated hence the need to vaccinate dogs against the disease, Dr. Enoch Boye-Mensah Konney, Acting Director, Veterinary Services, said on Monday.

"What I mean is that when a dog infected with rabies bites a human being, the probability of survival is 10 per cent. This is why all dogs need to be vaccinated once in a year to protect them from being infected with rabies by other dogs," he said.


Speaking at the launch of World Veterinary Day in Accra, Dr Konney said the signs of a rabid dog were that the pet went off food for a long period, barked unnecessarily and tried to bite people at the least provocation, among others.


He advised owners of the pet to take their dogs to the veterinary clinic every two or three months to seek advice even if they are not sick.


World Veterinary Day which falls on the last Saturday of April each year is being observed on the theme: "The Diversity of the Veterinary Profession."


The Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) would celebrate the day that would climax on April 26.

Activities include lectures, radio and television discussions, seminars and outreach programme of de-worming and vaccination of small ruminants in Teiman in the Greater Accra Region. Dr Konney expressed worry about the attitude of the public towards vaccination of their dogs, saying that even when vets went on outreach programmes, people refused to bring their dogs.


Another worry to him was the problem of stray dogs, most of which have not be vaccinated.


He advised the public to send anybody bitten by a dog immediately to the veterinary doctor for appropriate medication.


Dr. Kwasi Bowi Darkwa, President, GVMA, said the Day was instituted eight years ago by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the World Veterinary Association (WVA) to highlight the work of the profession around the world.


He said as part of celebration for the year, an award of 1,000 dollars had been instituted by the WVA and the International Organization in-charge of Animal Health to be given to any local chapter of the Association that would organize a successful celebration. The prize would be presented to the winner at the 29th World Veterinary Congress scheduled for 28 to 31 July in Vancouver, Canada.

Dr. Darkwa described veterinary medicine as basically the science which deals with disease and health of animals and provides health care and disease control to five broad categories of animals - those for food, companionship, sports, laboratory and zoo. He said veterinary medical profession was the country's first line of defence in protecting its food supplies of animal origin from contamination.


"Without the services of an adequate number of experienced veterinarians to inspect at the air and seaports the tons of imported frozen meat, day old chicks, drugs, vaccines etc to ensure disease free products, the country's food supply could be under serious threat." Dr. Darkwa therefore, called on government to provide logistics in the area of vehicles for field officers, residential and office accommodation and improved remuneration to members. He also announced that the first Veterinary Medical School would be established in Ghana next year under the College of Health Sciences to train veterinary doctors.


Dr. Samuel Ofosu, Registrar, Ghana Veterinary Council, paid tribute to veterinary professionals and other stakeholders for working assiduously to control the avian influenza which hit parts of the country recently.


The President of the World Veterinary Associations, Dr. Leon Russel, in a message to mark the day called for the creation of more awareness on the activities of veterinary doctors. He said, although the public may have high regard for the profession, "it knows little of the veterinary profession's continuous support of animal welfare and well-being".