RBC reports over 2600 cases of dog bites in Rwanda in 2024

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre has announced that, although cases of rabies are not currently alarming in Rwanda, dog bites remain an issue. Last year, 2,688 cases of dog bites were reported, including two confirmed cases of rabies, one of which resulted in death.

This was explained during the campaign organized by Rwanda Biomedical Centre and partners on September 30, 2025, aiming to raise awareness in the community on how to prevent and manage dog bites that can cause rabies, a serious health threat.

NTD-Wash Coordinator Officer at RBC, Nathan Hitiyaremye, said measures to combat rabies include vaccinating dogs, providing immediate medical care to those who have been bitten, and raising awareness on the consequences of the disease and appropriate behavior.

“Although the number of people infected with rabies in Rwanda is not alarming, it is important that people attend to the medical care provided to those bitten by dogs.”, he said.

Dr Samson Ntegeyibizaza, Veterinary Services Program Coordinator at RAB, has urged dogs owners to adopt their vaccination services as they are given free of charge.

He expressed concern that Rwandans are not responding satisfactorily to dog vaccination programs, but that awareness campaigns will continue to better explain the consequences of dog rabies, including death.

Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO Representative to Rwanda, said that rabies is a very serious public health issue because it is 100% fatal once somebody has shown the symptoms. However, it is 100% preventable in a situation where the right things are done.

WHO recommends mass dog vaccination as the most cost effective way to interrupt the transmission. Additionally, once somebody is bitten, they have to make sure they get to the hospital to be provided with post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

“If that is done on time we can totally prevent anybody from dying from rabies.  But we know that as of now, it is not the situation”, he said.

“It is not a role of one person but we use One Health approach. Because this is a disease that not only affect humans but it leads to animals and affect the environment. Everybody should be engaged towards elimination of rabies in 2030. Mexico has eliminated rabies. They used one health approach. We all have to working together”, he emphasized.

According to Dr Leandre Ishema, One Health Specialist at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, 90% cases of rabies are from dog bites.  Rwanda is on stage Zero towards the elimination of the disease which is among Negligated Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Globally, it kills more than 60000 people annually.

Rabies has a global economic cost of approximately USD 8.6 billion annually, and livestock losses, including those from rabies, account for about 6% of these total costs. This figure reflects expenses from human lives, lost livelihoods, and the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).