Thrice bitten dog vet not shy to tame rapid spread of rabies

Dr Joseph Mugacha of Garden Veterinary Services Ltd attends to one of the dogs named 'Sharon' at the clinic in Runda, Nairobi. (Photo: Elvis Ogina)

Sharon is a brave nine-year-old Japanese spitz due for her annual rabies vaccination. Dr Joseph Mugachia administers the precautionary injection on her—a shot that is not only lifesaving for Sharon but one that also holds the key to elimination of rabies, a neglected disease responsible for about 2,000 deaths annually. Nonetheless, the number of Kenyans dying yearly from rabies could be under-reported.