Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Rabies still poses a significant health problem in
most of African countries, where the majority of the cases result
from dog bites. The situations in the marginalized pastoral areas
were not well documented.
CASE: In September 2015, rabid wild fox entered the pastoralist
village and bit a domestic dog. The victim dog had turned rabid
after four months and bit livestock, and rabies outbreak occurred
in the family livestock. Consequently, one bull, one lactating cow,
one calf, two donkeys and one heifer died of outbreak. The head of
one heifer was removed and transported within 24 hours to the
Rabies Referral Laboratory of Ethiopian Public Health Institute in
Addis Ababa. The sample was confirmed as strong positive for
lyssa virus antigen by Direct Fluorescent Anti-Body Test. This was
the first confirmed case report from southern Oromia pastoralists.
The occurrence of rabies cases across the district was also
reported by veterinary and human health officers.
CONCLUSION: Integrated intervention strategy and
collaboration of animal health, human health and wildlife
authority is needed. To halt the ongoing outbreak in the district,
immediate response from the Government is recommended.
