The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Between 25 and 42 people are beaten by animals in Arua and parts of Maracha Koboko, Yumbe and Madi Okollo monthly, a report by Arua District Veterinary Department has revealed. Dr. Willy Nguma, the Arua District Veterinary Officer, says, 51-percent of the animal bites involve children between 4 and 5 years of age.
He says the most affected are Aiivu, Odupi, Uriama in Terego, Offaka, Okollo, Ogoko Sub counties in Madi Okollo and in Maracha, Koboko and parts of Yumbe districts, which lack proper systems of managing animal bites.
He also reveals that Arua registers, one case of death per month due to animal bites, which makes the situation dire and more worrying in the rural areas. According to Dr. Nguma, there is an estimated 2,000 stray dogs in Arua district, mostly in refugee camps and host communities.
A doze for treatment of rabies costs between Shillings 30,000 and 50,000 in Arua, which is costly for many people in rural areas. Dr. Gordon Toa, the Arua District Production Officer and former District Veterinary Officer calls on dog owners to reduce on the number of dogs in their homes and have them vaccinated.
“Many people keep dogs and do not feed them, these dogs end up straying from home to home in search of food and in the event they interact with infected ones, they end up transmitting it to humans through bites,” said Dr. Toa.
According to reports from One Health Office for W. Nile, about 70-percent of diseases in humans originate from animals including through animal bites.
Plans are under by the District Health Department to commence public awareness campaign on animal bites and how to manage the cases that may arise at lower health units before referral is made.
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