Lira City, Uganda: Authorities in Lira City have issued an urgent public health alert after a surge in dog bite cases and three confirmed deaths linked to suspected rabies, warning that the city could be on the brink of a full-scale outbreak unless immediate intervention is sustained.
New data released on Monday shows the city is now registering an average of five dog bite cases every week, though officials fear the actual figure is much higher due to widespread underreporting.
With more than 4,000 dogs, 1,100 cats and 6,600 head of cattle living among an estimated 300,000 residents, veterinary experts are warning that the risk of rapid disease transmission is significant.
City Production Officer Bruno Seronkum Akejo described the situation as alarming and escalating faster than anticipated.
“A rate of five cases every week is already a significant threat,” he said. “The three recent deaths have raised serious concerns over a potential rabies outbreak. We cannot afford to take any chances.”
Akejo confirmed that the dogs involved in the fatal attacks have been “put out of action” and that surveillance teams are now assessing whether the area is already experiencing an active outbreak.
Rabies—one of the world’s deadliest zoonotic viruses—kills an estimated 59,000 people annually. According to the World Health Organization, 99 percent of human rabies cases result from bites by infected dogs, and 40 percent of victims are children under the age of 15. Transmission typically occurs through saliva introduced via bites or scratches, a major concern in communities where stray and unvaccinated dogs roam freely.
Senior Veterinary Officer Peter Okello said dwindling vaccine supplies pose an immediate challenge despite increasing public demand.
“We recently received 480 doses of rabies vaccine, but supplies have already run critically low,” Okello revealed. “We have administered 275 doses in just two weeks. The pressure is overwhelming.”
Vaccination teams have so far covered Anai, parts of Angwetangwet, Boke, and Akia, but Okello said the district still has a long way to go.
“We are doing everything possible with the little we have. But without more vaccines and stronger community cooperation, the risk remains very high.”
Tension within the community continues to rise. A mother from Anai whose child narrowly survived a dog bite expressed deep fear:
“We rushed him to the hospital, but even the health workers looked overwhelmed. Every parent in this city is scared right now.”
Local leaders are urging residents to report dog bites immediately, avoid contact with roaming animals, restrain pets, and cooperate fully with vaccination teams to contain the threat.
Akejo called for calm but insisted on heightened vigilance.
“We need residents to take this seriously. Report every bite, restrain your animals, and support the vaccination campaign. Rabies is 100 percent fatal if untreated.”
Authorities are now appealing for more vaccines, emergency funding and stronger enforcement of animal control laws to protect the city from what could become one of the region’s most severe rabies outbreaks in years.
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