The rabies crisis gripping the North West District has reached a tragic milestone as the death toll among children rose to four, sparking an aggressive culling operation that has already eliminated dozens of stray animals.
North West District Council Chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetseng, confirmed the latest fatality, a young boy who was bitten by a rabid dog in February. The virus reportedly lay dormant for several weeks before claiming his life recently. This tragedy follows the deaths of three other children, all under the age of 10, who succumbed to the virus after being attacked by infected dogs.
The scale of the threat is staggering. Authorities report that approximately 450 people have been attacked by roaming dogs in and around Maun. In response, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has launched an intensive culling exercise targeting stray animals to curb the spread of the incurable virus.
Kelebetseng revealed that while over 50 stray dogs have already been eliminated, the threat remains high, with more than 100 dogs currently displaying active symptoms of the disease.
“We are urging the community to remain vigilant,” Kelebetseng stated, noting that rabid animals can be identified by sudden behavioral shifts—ranging from extreme aggression to uncharacteristic fear—alongside excessive salivation.
The Chairman directed a stern plea to pet owners to take full responsibility for their animals by providing adequate food, water, and shelter to prevent them from roaming the streets. He cautioned that a lack of containment increases the risk of domestic pets being caught in the culling crosshairs.
“We do not wish to encounter a disheartening situation where owned dogs are mistakenly culled because they were found wandering,” he said.
The crisis has also exposed a significant gap in preventative care. While a joint vaccination campaign between the DVS and the Maun Animal Welfare Society (MAWS) is underway, public turnout remains dangerously low. Of an estimated dog population of 15,000 in the region, only 4,000 have been vaccinated to date.
Kelebetseng criticized the slow response from the public, suggesting that the statistics indicate a lack of priority regarding pet health and community safety. He emphasized that immunization is the only sustainable way to achieve a “rabies-free region.”
As the culling and vaccination drives continue, authorities are calling for total community cooperation to prevent further loss of life.
