The number of people bitten by a suspected rabid dog in Masemu compound in Itezhi-tezhi district of Southern Province has risen to 22. According to Itezhi-tezhi police and the District hospital, the number of people that have been bitten by the dog has increased from 7 to 22 sending panic in the local people who are now living in fear of the rabid dog.
Bernard Kawenga, one of the victims, said that he was bitten by the dog on Wednesday as he was coming from visiting a friend in Masemu compound.Mr Kawenga said his waist has been severely hurt by dog bites.He said that he could not be given medicine at the Itezhi-tezhi district hospital because the drug is unavailable at the hospital.
However, he disclosed that he has since started the treatment doses bought from Mumbwa following a K300, 000 donation made by fellow marketeers.
When contacted by ZANIS for comment, Itezhi-tezhi district hospital authorities said that the hospital has no medicine for dog bites adding that all those affected have been referred to buy the medicine from Mumbwa at K300, 000.
Itezhi-tezhi District MMD chairperson who had his relatives bitten by the dog has appealed to the District Veterinary office and the police to hunt and kill the dog before many people are bitten by it.
He said that 22 people who have been bitten cannot afford to buy medicine at K300, 000 from Mumbwa.
He said that presence of the dog in Masemu Compound has created fear and panic among parents as they feared to send children to school because of fear of being bitten by the dog.
“We appeal to the veterinary department to hunt the dog that is terrorizing people in Masemu compound ,the dog started biting people on Monday and yet the police and the veterinary department have not yet killed the dog and it is equally biting other dogs” he said.
On Tuesday this week, seven people were severely bitten by a suspected rabid dog in Chibloya and Masemu compound.
ZANIS/ENDS/FM/CLM.