Ghana has recorded 603 rabies outbreaks in the past four years, with the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Upper East, Western, and Central regions being the most affected, according to Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Yaw Fenteng Danso.
Speaking at the World Rabies Day celebration in Asuofua, in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Fenteng Danso noted that between 2023 and 2024, the Veterinary Service Department (VSD) administered 172,000 rabies vaccinations to dogs and cats. This effort, however, covers only 20% of the estimated pet population, leaving the country vulnerable to further outbreaks.
Dr. Fenteng Danso attributed the case surge to pet owners’ reluctance to vaccinate their animals. “The low vaccination coverage is largely due to apathy, perceived high costs, and the failure to enforce penalties for dog owners who neglect vaccinations,” he stated.
He added that a particular challenge in rural areas is the misconception among hunters that vaccinating hunting dogs diminishes their performance—a belief he labeled “erroneous.”
Rabies remains a significant public health threat in Ghana, and this year’s World Rabies Day, themed “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” highlighted the urgent need for increased vaccination coverage and public awareness. The Veterinary Service provided free anti-rabies vaccinations in Asuofua and surrounding communities as part of the event.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that affects both humans and animals, yet it continues to cause approximately 55,000 human deaths globally each year, with 56% of these deaths occurring in Africa. Despite its preventable nature, rabies remains under-reported and untreated in many parts of the world, making it one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases.
Ashanti Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mabel Abudu, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in eradicating rabies by 2030. “Rabies is one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases, and we must renew our commitment to eliminate it,” she said, calling for greater public awareness and the active involvement of local communities.
Dr. Abudu emphasized the need for a “One Health” approach—collaborating between veterinary services, healthcare professionals, and local authorities—to combat the disease. “We must ensure that our communities are rabies-free by 2030,” she urged, reminding Ghanaians that rabies is entirely preventable.
The World Rabies Day event commemorates the work of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine and reflects the ongoing global effort to eliminate the disease by 2030.
