The community of Awutu Bereku in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region experienced a distressing incident when a rabies dog attacked eight children, resulting in the tragic death of 12-year-old Samuel Ofosu.
This incident has plunged the community into grief and raised serious concerns about the safety of its residents. Yaa Tawiah, Samuel’s grieving mother, disclosed that the dog specifically targeted eight children, leaving behind a distressing aftermath.
Samuel, unfortunately, died at the Mother and Child Hospital, leaving his family and the entire community shattered and searching for answers. The loss of Samuel has had an indelible impact on his family, who are struggling with profound sorrow.
The possibility of rabies spreading to the affected children is also a grave concern at this time. Yaa Tawiah has expressed deep worry about the risks associated with the infection, prompting authorities to take immediate action.
The topmost priority for the authorities is to promptly address the situation and ensure the health and well-being of the community.
According to the authorities, the incident will be investigated, the affected children will receive the necessary medical attention, and preventative measures will be put in place to stop similar incidents from happening again.
Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals.
It is usually spread through an animal bite. Animals most likely to spread rabies include dogs, bats, coyotes, foxes, skunks and raccoons.
Symptoms include fever, headache, excess salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis and mental confusion.
Rabies is a significant concern in Ghana, and dog bites pose a serious health risk to individuals.
It is important for individuals to take precautions to prevent rabies, such as avoiding contact with stray animals, vaccinating pets regularly, and seeking immediate medical attention following animal bites or scratches.
Source: The Independent Ghana