Dr Tutu said the virus requires a specific temperature range to infect and replicate effectively. Once a dog contracts the virus from other infected dogs, it typically takes 4 days for clinical signs to appear, and the dog may succumb to the illness within 10 days.
"The first four days are the dormant stage, where the dog is seen running around occasionally and visiting its home. On day four, the dog becomes aggressive and bites without fear. The dog also starts drooling excessively from the mouth and barks in a strange sound. By day eight, the dog enters the paralysis stage, where it walks while dragging its hind legs. The dog bites and cannot coordinate its movements, and eventually dies on the tenth day," he said.
He added that after a dog bite, to prevent the spread of the rabies virus from the bite site to the brain, which is invariably fatal once it reaches that stage, the first critical step is to thoroughly clean the wound by washing it with clean, running water for at least 15 minutes, to help remove any saliva or virus particles.
"Seeking immediate medical attention is also essential, as the standard rabies post-exposure treatment involves a series of 5 vaccine doses that must be administered in a timely manner to be effective - delaying this treatment dramatically increases the risk of the infection progressing to the fatal neurological phase," he said.
KSPCA support communication officer Naomi Njeri said that communities need to be educated about rabies. Health workers should also receive more training on properly assessing, diagnosing, and treating rabies exposure.
"The local and national governments should enforce laws and provide resources for a comprehensive approach to fighting rabies. This should involve multiple different fields working together," she said.
Martin Njuguna, a resident of Gikambura and a pet lover, said that most Kenyans cannot afford the vaccine. The government should ensure the vaccines are readily available so that dogs are vaccinated annually to avoid outbreaks.
"Widespread dog rabies vaccination could prevent transmission to humans and save lives," he said.