By Erica Apeatua Addo
Enchi (WN/R), Sept 30, GNA-Three Basic Schools in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region have been educated on rabies and its implications on human health.
The schools include Wisdom Preparatory School, Anna Educational Complex, and Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Basic School.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Selorm Debrah, the Municipal Veterinary Officer, said September is the rabies awareness month and 28th September have been selected by the United Nations Organization (UNO) as the World Rabies Day with the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”.
He said the deadly disease was real and asked the pupils to pay critical attention to it, and educate their parents to regularly vaccinate their dogs, cats, and monkeys against rabies at age three months and beyond.
He said it was worrying that children were the most at risk since they usually encounter these pets hence to bring them on board.
According to Mr Debrah, rabies cases were 100 per cent fatal and students should not hesitate to report animal bites to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention and investigation.
“Though the disease is fatal, it is also 100 per cent preventable. Once you vaccinate; people would be safe when bitten. The animal vaccine is always and almost available at the cheapest cost.”
He urged persons bitten by dogs and other animals to immediately wash the affected area with soap under running water for 20 minutes and apply sanitizer to reduce the viral load contained in the infected animal’s saliva from entering deep into the nerve after which they must seek medical attention.
He appealed to hospitals, CHPS Compound, pharmacies, and chemical license shops to refer animal bite cases to the veterinarian in accordance with the WHO recommendation, added that, it was the duty of the veterinarian to diagnose animals for rabies and give medics the needed information for treating victims.
He advised the pupils to adhere to the safety protocols to avoid dog or animal bites by avoiding disturbing dogs and other animals especially when they were eating, sleeping or with their young ones.
He concluded that “No bite, No scratch =No Rabies. Vaccinate your dogs, cats, and monkeys to keep it healthy. A vaccinated dog is a soldier in the fight against rabies”.
Madam Susana Quainoo, the proprietress of Anna Educational Complex expressed her gratitude to the team of Veterinary personnel and asked for more such education for the pupils.
GNA