A 12-year-old school child from Asokore in Sekyere East District of the Ashanti region has died from rabies after being bitten by a three-month-old dog, says the District Director of Health.
Dr. Justice Ofori-Amoah told JoyNews during an annual performance review meeting that the girl had been exposed to the virus in October 2024, which was both avoidable and preventable.
Two weeks after the bite on her left leg, the girl began experiencing itching at the site. On Monday, February 10, 2025, she complained of a severe headache, fever, and nausea.
Later that evening, she started showing signs of disorientation, aggression, and difficulty concentrating on anything.
She was hospitalised and receiving treatment at the Effiduase Government Hospital, where she passed away on February 11 at around 6 p.m.
“Unfortunately, one of the bites that took place in 2024, the child has just died this year 2025 which could have been prevented,” Dr Ofori-Amoah said.
“These are all worrying trends and schoolchildren who would live tomorrow to take up the cause of the country.”
This is the first reported death from rabies in the district this year, almost a month after an awareness, education, and sensitisation exercise was held, which was attended by schoolchildren, health workers, chiefs, and others.
The district accounted for two out of the five confirmed cases of rabies in the region in 2024, which was one of the reasons behind the intensified awareness campaign.
Dr. Ofori-Amoah emphasised the extreme importance of seeking medical attention immediately after any exposure to bites from dogs, cats, or monkeys.
He also advised that treatment should be sought right away following a bite with the animals, even if there are no visible signs of a bite or symptoms of rabies.
Inauguration of mass vaccination in 2024
In January 2024, the Sekyere East District Health Directorate, in collaboration with the veterinary department, launched a mass vaccination initiative in Ahwerewa, targeting dogs and cats to protect residents from the threat of rabies.
Irene Efua Acquah, the District Veterinary Officer, highlighted the importance of targeting communities with a high dog population, as this could indicate a higher prevalence of the disease.
She also stressed the need to dispel the misconception that vaccinating dogs against rabies impairs their hunting instincts, stating, ‘We want to erase such misconceptions from people’s minds.’
While the vaccination drive began in Ahwerewa, Irene confirmed plans for a coordinated rollout across nearby communities, including Nustem, Okaikrom, Obaapaninkrom, and Attakrom.
She urged residents to take dog bite incidents seriously, stating, “Dog bite cases should be treated with urgency. It is crucial to visit the hospital and receive the proper treatment before considering any other actions.”
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