4 children die of rabies in Aweil

At least four children have died of rabies in Aweil North County of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, according to local authorities.

The Payam administrator of Ariath payam, Reech Malong Wol said on Tuesday two of these children died recently on 31 December 2023 and the latest on January 1 2024.

 “Many dogs without owners are roaming and this is worrisome, people go away from homes to go look for money to sustain families in the markets leaving children at home without anyone attending to them,” Wol told Juba Echo in an interview.

He urged parents to leave caretakers at home whenever they go to work.

“One adult should at least remain behind to take care of the children,” said Wol.

He also disclosed that they are going to start killing stray dogs.

John Garang Bol, a health officer in Ariath payam said the some of the dogs roaming in the rea were not fully vaccinated.

He said that some of the children were rushed to Aweil town but were unable to be treated.

Northern Bahr El Ghazal state ministry of health recorded 700 cases of rabies in 2023.