By Dr. Jesse Mukisa Mutesasira
Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease affecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. It has two main cycles: the wild (sylvatic) cycle and the domestic cycle, with dogs playing a pivotal role as the primary link between humans and the disease. Once clinical signs appear, rabies is 100% fatal in humans, and the disease can have a latency period ranging from a few weeks to several years.
Despite being entirely preventable, rabies remains a neglected tropical disease (NTD), predominantly affecting regions in Africa and Asia. Thousands of lives are lost each year due to this disease, often due to a lack of awareness and access to timely medical care.
The first step after a dog bite or scratch is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 15 to 20 minutes, followed by seeking medical attention. Over 99% of human rabies cases arise from dog bites, with children under 15 being the most vulnerable.
Recently, a tragic case in Kabale district illustrated the devastating consequences of neglecting such bites. A young child was bitten by a dog, and due to a lack of awareness, the parents failed to seek immediate medical attention. Weeks later, the child exhibited signs of rabies and ultimately lost their life—a preventable tragedy that highlights how many such cases go unreported and unaddressed.
My first encounter with a suspected rabies case occurred in 2022, when a farmer reported a puppy that had become aggressive. The next day, I visited the farm to collect samples for laboratory testing. During the process, I accidentally exposed myself to the brain tissue of the suspected rabid animal. This experience made me acutely aware of the risks that veterinarians face and the challenges Ugandans encounter when seeking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
After multiple visits to different hospitals, I faced difficulties accessing PEP due to stock shortages. Eventually, I received the necessary treatment, but the process underscored the inadequacies in our healthcare system regarding rabies management.
During one of my hospital visits, I met a man suffering from rabies. He had been bitten by a stray dog a month prior and exhibited severe symptoms. Witnessing his suffering was a painful reminder of how preventable diseases can have fatal outcomes.
World Rabies Day, celebrated on September 28, serves as a reminder of Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking work in developing the rabies vaccine in 1885. This year’s national event in Kasese highlighted the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundaries” and emphasized the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
While Uganda has a National Rabies Elimination Strategy in place, implementation is hindered by financial constraints and resource limitations.
I urge everyone to have their pets—dogs and cats—vaccinated against rabies annually by a qualified veterinarian. For veterinarians, it is essential to stay vaccinated to protect against exposure. Together, we can work towards eliminating rabies, as every life in Uganda is precious and deserves protection from this silent killer.
