NewsDesk @bactiman63

In southern Ghana, the Health Directorate of the Ashanti Region is reporting a rise in human rabies cases in three districts within the region, according to a Ghana Health Services statement Monday.

According to the statement: As of Monday, September 12, 2022, the region had recorded a total of four-confirmed cases and 1-Probable case

The cases were reported from Asante Akim South, Bosomtwe and Kwabre East”; with a case fatality rate of 100%

Rabies is an acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans or other mammals usually through the saliva from a bite of an infected animal. It is also rarely contracted through breaks in the skin or contact with mucous membranes.

According to the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, all mammals are susceptible to rabies. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, coyotes and cats are the likely suspects. Other animals like otters and ferrets are also high risk. Mammals like rabbits, squirrels, rodents and opossums are rarely infected.

Initially, like in many diseases, the symptoms are non-specific; fever, headache and malaise. This may last several days. At the site of the bite there may be some pain and discomfort. Symptoms then progress to more severe: confusion, delirium, abnormal behavior and hallucinations. If it gets this far, the disease is nearly 100% fatal.