Rabies breaks out in Nakonde

RABIES has broken out in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province.Nakonde District veterinary officer Humphrey Banda confirmed to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) yes-terday.Dr Banda said the declaration is in accordance with the provision of section 12 and 13 of the animal Health Act No 27 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia.The veterinary officer said last month a man of Nachipeta village was beaten by his dog and later showed signs of rabies be-fore dying.Dr Banda said this prompted the veterinary department and the District health office to work hand in hand with the central vet-erinary research institute who took samples of the victim and established that he died of rabies.“The samples we took to Lusaka returned positive confirming that the man died after being beaten by a rabid dogs,” said Dr. Banda.Dr Banda added that his department in collaboration with the local authority has put in immediate measures to help curb the disease outbreak in the District such as destroying of stray dogs, community sensitization and rabies vaccination of all dogs aged 3 months and above.The veterinary officer is also appealing to Dog owners to cooperate with the authorities and ensure that their dogs are vac-cinated and registered by the council.Dr Banda has also appealed to dog owners to utilize the veterinary department and report all dog bites.Nakonde District has recorded about 91 dog bites from January to September 2020. – ZANIS The Sun