Rabid dog bite kills 70-year-old man in Aweil

AWEIL –  A 70-year-old man from Aweil has died after developing symptoms consistent with rabies, sparking renewed concern among medical workers over the rising number of untreated dog bites in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Medical staff at Aweil Civil Hospital said the man, identified as Mayen Ayuel, had been admitted for about three weeks after being attacked by a suspected rabid dog. He reportedly died on Thursday in the emergency ward while showing advanced symptoms, including excessive salivation.

Luka Lual Aleu, the health education focal person at the hospital, told this publication that the deceased was rushed to the facility but treatment came too late.

“The deceased is identified as Mayen Ayuel. He was brought to the facility last week and he took three weeks admitted and eventually he died as he was salivating,” Aleu said.

He explained that medical staff initially suspected a different illness until symptoms worsened. “The doctors who were dealing with his case thought it was another matter, but he died in the emergency ward,” he noted.

Aleu blamed the death partly on negligence and the widespread belief that dog bites are minor and do not require urgent medical attention. He urged residents to seek treatment immediately after any dog bite and to vaccinate their pets.

“People don’t agree with what we tell them. We always tell people to seek treatment when they are bitten by dogs. Dog owners are also asked to vaccinate their animals because deaths are occurring a lot,” he stressed.

Local residents, however, argue that cost remains a major barrier. A single vaccine dose reportedly costs about 100,000 South Sudanese Pounds, while a full course can reach 700,000 SSP, making it nearly impossible for many families to afford.

Health workers fear more preventable deaths may occur if awareness remains low and treatment costs continue to rise. Aleu warned that without early medical intervention, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, urging authorities and animal owners to treat dog bites as a serious medical emergency rather than a common injury.