Four people have since January died of rabies at hospitals in the Ashanti region.

This was after they had been bitten by dogs infected with the disease.

Officials from the veterinary services in the region are appealing for public support in the vaccination of domestic animals.

Rabies, a fatal illness, is caused by a virus and transmitted through several means, especially when one is bitten or scratched by an infected domestic pet, usually dogs.

Cases of rabies from cat bites have also been reported.

The Ashanti regional veterinary office has recorded eight cases in 2019 of which four of the victims died.

Two of the deaths occurred in the Asante Akim North district while one in Obuasi and the last in Kumasi.

According to the veterinary officials, 15,000 dogs out of a targeted 20,000 have been vaccinated in the region since January.

Ashanti regional director of the Veterinary Service, Dr Emmanuel Edward Efah, described rabies as deadly but preventable.

As Ghana joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Rabies Day, he has asked dog owners to send their pets for vaccination.

Mr Efah believes public cooperation in the vaccination exercise will help reduce cases.