Rabies death toll rises to five in Western, Western North Regions

Five people have died from rabies in Ghana’s Western and Western North regions so far in 2026, prompting health and veterinary authorities to intensify calls for urgent action over dog bites and low vaccination rates.

The deaths were recorded in several districts, with two fatalities reported in Wassa East and one each in Jomoro and Amenfi East. A fifth case involving a resident of Diaso in the Central Region was linked to Bibiani.

Concern has also grown following an incident in a suburb of Sekondi, where a suspected rabid stray dog attacked nine people, including children. The victims are currently undergoing medical evaluation.

Western Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Simon Gbene, described the situation as critical, warning that surveillance data for 2026 shows rabies remains a significant public health threat across several districts.

He said the combined dog and cat population in the Western and Western North regions is estimated at about 166,000, based on figures from the 2009 census. However, fewer than 5% of the animals are currently vaccinated against rabies, far below the 70% coverage considered necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.

Historical data also highlights the scale of the problem. Between 2015 and 2021, the average annual dog-bite rate was more than 78 cases per 100,000 people in the Western Region and almost 73 per 100,000 in Western North.

Dr Gbene also dismissed a widespread belief that kola nuts can be used to treat rabies, describing the claim as completely false. He urged anyone exposed to a potentially infected animal to seek proper medical treatment rather than relying on traditional remedies.

Rabies is mainly transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites or scratches. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost invariably fatal. However, deaths can be prevented through timely post-exposure treatment and vaccination.

Authorities are therefore urging dog owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated and registered. District assemblies have also been encouraged to strengthen measures to control stray and free-roaming dogs, while additional support is being sought to expand vaccination campaigns across affected communities.