04 May 2026

Rabies outbreak is worsening in the North West District despite efforts by the Department of Veterinary Services to eliminate stray dogs roaming the streets.

Already, four confirmed deaths, all girls under the age of 10, have been recorded.

The victims were bitten by dogs in areas of Boseja, Moeti, Newtown and Boyei wards recently.

It was revealed that 87 cases of dog bite had been reported across health facilities and 32 patients were currently undergoing emergency treatment for exposure.

The disease is spread through the saliva of an infected animal through bites and scratches. It is against this bacground that Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise, recently held a meeting with the district leadership reaffirming govenment’s commitment to combat the disease and save livess

Therefore, he said govenment would procure 12 000 doses of rabies vaccine to be distributed across health facilities in the district.

While he acknowledged that the district was prone to various disease outbreaks such as malaria, diarrhoea and rabies among others, he promised that going forward, more attention would be given to the district in terms of drugs distribution and availability.

“It is unfortunate that we lost four lives due to the rabies outbreak and as the government, we pledge to support the local technical team on the ground, to arrest the situation and save lives. Maun will be prioritised and receive a large quantity of medical drugs considering its peculiar challenges to address future shortage,” said Dr Modise.

He appreciated collaborative efforts made by the technical team to tackle the disease.

Dr Modise said such efforts were the foundation of effective control of the disease and appreciated that the technical team had embraced a one health approach and leveraged on partnerships with multiple stakeholders.

He also expressed gratitude that the private sector was also coming forthcoming.

It was reported that Ker & Downey Botswana, a subsidiary of Chobe Holdings Company, has donated 400 rabies vaccines.

The minister also revealed that the ministry was working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, to ensure that the Department of Veterinary Services was well resourced, to strengthen rabies prevention and control.

Giving the situational report, deputy council secretary for primary health, Dr Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe, stated that the district observed increase in number of dog bite cases especially in Maun with most attacks taking place in public spaces.

She said it was unfortunate as the cases happened in February, when vaccines were not available as they were received early March.

In response to the outbreak, the district launched an effective control programme against rabies, which included one health approach, capacity building on proper management of rabies, drafting of rabies response plan and public education among others.

Principal veterinary officer, Dr Bruce Mafonko stated that the department planned its annual rabies vaccination campaign but could not proceed due to resource constraints primarily the unavailability of vehicles and staff.

Despite that, with support from the local authorities, police, bye-law officers and Animal Welfare Society, he said vaccination campaign commenced with two teams, which expanded with time noting that the current coverage vaccination stood at 72 per cent while the number of euthanised stray dogs was 191.

“We have diagnosed 22/25 dogs as positive for rabies, we had a cow that tested positive in January and recently we had a stray cow that was suspected to be rabid in Mawana area on clinical presentation and a goat was also suspected of rabies in Disaneng area in Maun,” he added. ENDS