By Richard Onapatum

Katakwi: Two children in Katakwi have died and three others were injured after being bitten by a rabid stray dog. This incident has caused worry among the residents.

The deceased identified as Otilem Vincent 6yrs and Abonya Charles 5yrs all residents of Okuda in Ongongoja Sub County, breathed their last at Katakwi General Hospital.

According to Apio Solome, the assistant in charge of the Children’s Ward, on January 4th, 2024, the ward received its first patient, a 5-year-old named Abonya. Abonya had a history of being beaten by a dog.

“Late evening the child was too irritable, we tried giving diazepam according to the doctor’s prescription, we tried all we could but the child could not make it and died at around 3;30am in the night,” said Apio.

She added that the same dog had bitten about 5 of them.

On 8^th Jan 2024, the hospital received another boy Otilem 6yrs who was also beaten by the same dog and unfortunately, at 1 am in the night, he also died.

Yesterday 10^th they received another patient Elepo John 8yrs in fair condition they gave diazepam as prescribed by the DHO who at press time was to arrive for a review.
“At least they have brought him in a stable condition we pray he survives” said Apio

What the district leader says,

The Katakwi District Chairman Geoffrey Omolo confirmed the death of the two siblings.

He said it’s not a first experience, children including adults have previously been helped with support from Astu Hospital and Katakwi Main Hospital, however, he said this case is worrying.

He confirmed that before this incident, 5 people were beaten by the affected stray dog. He adds that the community being ignorant did not take quick action.

“Unfortunately this event happened in Okuda on Ongongoja, it either the community seem not to understand the dangers of stray dogs. The five people ended up trying to get treatment from a local clinic, but within a period, one of the affected children died. The child was buried and the quack clinician attempted to treat the second child who also died within a few days,” he said.

It was at that point the community got concerned and called the community and leadership. Omolo said the situation was very disturbing and lashed at whoever concealed the information.

“I was also called after the second child died and where we are now it’s very difficult even vaccination may not help,” said Omolo.

He confirmed that they went on a rampage yesterday and arrested several people including the owner of the clinic, and a purported doctor are all in custody for trying to treat children.

He cautioned the public about not caring for their dogs adding that the health team from the ministry is on standby to assess the situation of the admitted remaining patients.

What is the way forward?

The Department of Veterinary has confirmed that the vaccination of dogs has been completed.

“Actually as we talk now vaccination of dogs is ongoing at Okuda Primary School But also information is given sometimes when we mobilize communities to vaccinate very few people respond. People have dogs but they are not interested in going and vaccinating and yet both cats and dogs are supposed to be vaccinated” said Omolo

He confirmed that the district has quite several dogs in homesteads, others are used for hunting while others are in the centres and are stray

He however cautioned that if one cannot manage a dog shouldn’t keep it and appealed to whoever wants to own a dog to find a way of managing it.