Woman dies of rabies after delayed treatment in Aweil East

AWEIL – A 30-year-old woman has died of rabies in Aweil East County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State after reportedly delaying medical treatment following a dog bite sustained in October last year.

The incident occurred in Tiitchok Mareng, where the woman had been living before her condition worsened over the weekend.

According to the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Health Education Focal Point, Luka Lual Aleu Jok, the woman was bitten by a suspected rabid dog several months ago but did not seek immediate medical attention.

Speaking to Sudans Post, Lual said the woman was brought to Aweil State Hospital on Sunday, February 22, in critical condition.

“She was brought to the hospital at a very severe stage of the disease,” Jok explained. “By the time she arrived, she was already salivating excessively and showing signs of aggression, which are classic symptoms of advanced rabies.”

He said relatives later decided to take her back home after her condition deteriorated further. According to information provided to health officials, the family had resorted to traditional remedies instead of seeking prompt medical care.

Lual noted that the woman had reportedly been given pieces of treated animal skin—locally believed to counter rabies—to chew, at 25,000 South Sudanese Pounds per dose.

Lual attributed the fatal outcome to strong cultural beliefs that discourage some families from seeking hospital treatment for dog bites and other suspected rabies cases.

“Our people often refuse to bring forward cases of rabid animal bites, especially dog bites,” he said. “Instead, they rely on traditional methods, such as chewing treated animal skin, believing it will cure the infection.”

Health officials said the woman was later removed from medical care by her caretakers, who reportedly intended to seek help from a traditional healer. She died on Sunday from complications linked to untreated rabies.

Lual revealed that the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State recorded approximately 176 dog bite cases last year. So far this year, three people have died from rabies-related complications.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Lual confirmed reports circulating on social media about a strike by health workers at Aweil State Hospital. He acknowledged that staff had downed their tools but declined to comment extensively, describing the matter as politically sensitive.

However, a hospital insider told this outlet that health workers suspended services due to unpaid incentives. Efforts to reach the State Minister of Health for comment were unsuccessful by press time.