Every year, 28 September is set aside as World Rabies Day. It gives us a reason to pause over something most people would rather never have to think about: what would we do if an animal bit or scratched us, our child or someone else we love?
For many people, a bite seems unlikely. We move between home, work and our usual errands without giving it a thought. Yet animals are part of the places we share. A neighbour’s dog lies near the gate. A cat wanders through the compound.
Children meet dogs on their way to school. Even someone who has never owned a pet may one day need to know how to respond.
Rabies is a virus that can pass from an infected animal to a person, usually through a bite or scratch.
Dogs cause the vast majority of human rabies cases worldwide, which is why dog vaccination is so important. But rabies is not limited to dogs. Cats, bats, monkeys, livestock and other mammals can also be infected.
The virus is carried in saliva. It can also enter through broken skin or the eyes and mouth, so an animal licking an open wound deserves medical advice. Ordinary contact with a healthy-looking animal is not, by itself, a reason to panic; knowing the kind of contact helps health workers assess the risk.
That wider picture matters. It reminds pet owners to think about their cats as well as their dogs. It also reminds the rest of us that the right response depends on the exposure, not simply on whether the animal is a stray dog. A familiar pet may look healthy, and a scratch may seem too small to worry about. Neither is a good reason to dismiss it.
Imagine a child returning from play and mentioning, almost casually, that a dog scratched their leg. The child seems fine. An adult may be tempted to say, “Be careful next time,” and carry on with the day. But a small mark still calls for immediate care.
The first step is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
The next is to go promptly to a health facility, where a health professional can assess the exposure and provide the treatment needed. Do not wait for the wound to worsen or for symptoms to appear. Rabies can be prevented after exposure when the right care is given in time; once symptoms develop, it is almost always fatal.
Adults must take the same care with themselves. Someone bitten while walking to work, visiting a home or handling an animal may feel pressure to finish what they were doing first. It is easy to minimise a scratch when there are errands to run and people depending on you.
Wash it and seek medical assessment promptly. Looking after others begins with taking your own health seriously.
The animal involved also needs to be reported to a veterinary officer, who can advise on its assessment and safe observation where appropriate. If an animal appears ill or behaves unusually, keep your distance and ask for professional help rather than trying to handle it yourself.
Of course, the best response begins before a bite happens.
A responsible owner vaccinates their dog or cat, keeps the vaccination record, feeds and cares for the animal, and prevents it from roaming freely. Adults can show children how to give unfamiliar animals space and why they should not disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for its young.
Just as important, children should feel safe telling an adult about any bite or scratch without fear of being blamed.
This year’s World Rabies Day theme, “Stronger Together,” captures why these individual actions matter. A pet owner protects more than one household by vaccinating an animal.
A teacher who explains bite prevention helps children recognise a risk. A neighbour who knows what to do after a bite can help someone act quickly. Health workers and veterinary officers each have a vital part in protecting people and animals.
Ghana’s observance offers pet owners a practical opportunity. The Veterinary Services Department has announced a free vaccination campaign for dogs and cats in identified high-risk areas throughout September 2026, targeting 25,000 animals. Owners who want to take part should contact their nearest government Veterinary Services office to confirm where vaccination is available in their area.
Those outside a participating area, or seeking vaccination after the campaign, can ask a government veterinary office or private veterinary provider about the service and any applicable fee. A community animal health worker or agricultural extension officer can also help direct owners to a recognised veterinary service.
The campaign has an end date, but our responsibility does not. Ask a veterinary professional when your pet needs its next rabies vaccination and keep its record. Talk with the children and adults in your home about safe behaviour around animals. Share the steps after a bite or scratch with someone who may not know them.
World Rabies Day comes once a year. The lesson is for every day: vaccinate and care for our animals; respect the space of animals we do not know; and if a bite or scratch happens, wash the wound for 15 minutes and seek medical care promptly. A life can depend on what we do next.
By Darling Maame Efua Cann, a Public Relations Officer with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and a staff member of the Information Services Department. Email: darling.cann@mlgcra.gov.gh | Phone: 055 289 8114
