Senior District Health Education Officer at the Ministry of Health in Kono Aiah Michael Yomba, has revealed to AimNet Newspaper that the District has recorded 181 dog bites for 2023. He said the alarming rate of dog bites across Kono District is in protest of animal cruelty wherein, dogs had to get revenge with their haphazard bites of cruelty against them.
The Health Education Officer disclosed that they recorded around 150 dog bites for the year 2022 adding that, from January to November 2023, they had recorded 181 cases of dog bites. He however gave a glad tidings that all of the 181 confirmed cases of dog bites were not associated with rabies, and no death was recorded.
He disclosed that through their findings as physicians, they discovered that the increase of dog bites in Kono District could not be disconnected with animal cruelty especially to dogs by some people. "Cruelty to dogs has resulted in the high rate of dog bites," he said.
Aiah Michael Yomba intimated that people are in the habit of not taking care of their dogs which had also resulted in health related problems in the district. He added that the killing dogs had now been pervasive across the District.
The Senior Health Education Officer attached at the Ministry of Health elucidated the dangers of dogs living with rabies. He highlighted some of the signs and symptoms of dogs living with rabies which include backing and chasing people.
"If you are bitten by dog, wash the bite right away with soap and water 20 times and tied the upper part and quickly go to the nearest health facilities for medication," he admonished.
" We are calling on all and sundry to take a responsible pet ownership system and they must be properly taken care of," he noted.
Aiah Michael Yomba disclosed that the Ministry of Health in Kono would be embarking on community sensitization relating to the prevention of dog bites and for people to take responsibility for caregiving to dogs and other domestic pets. He encouraged people to avoid pelting stones at the dogs.
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