Lamu, KENYA: Four people are nursing injuries at the Mpeketoni sub county hospital after they were bitten by wild dogs suspected to be suffering from rabies at Lake Amu village in Mpeketoni in the last two days.
According to residents,the dogs have been attacking and biting people especially school children,a situation that has left many worried not knowing when and where the dogs might strike next.
Many of the school children no longer want to go school for fear of being attacked by the wild dogs, who are known for waylaying and ambushing their victims before biting them.
Locals are worried that the number of victims could go up if the dogs aren’t found and eliminated promptly.
Residents also want the county government to intervene and send vets to ascertain whether indeed the wild dogs suffer from rabies and help them take the necessary measures.
“Its like the dogs are on a mission.They waylay,ambush and then bite,then they flee.In two days,four people have already been bitten.We don’t know what the number will be in two weeks.Our biggest worry however is that if they have rabies,then there could be a very bad outbreak and deaths even,”said Emmanual Wanyoike.
Speaking in Lamu on Wednesday, Lamu county senior veterinary Gichohi Mathenge said officers had already been sent to affected areas.
He said a vaccination exercise is coming up before the end of the month where all domestic animals including dogs,donkeys,cats and livestock are vaccinated.
“We are aware four people have been bitten.The areas are known for rabies outbreaks but we are yet to ascertain of the dogs have rabies,” said Mathenge.
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