NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – The Kenya Wildlife Service now says rabies infected hyenas are attacking Kenyans in Kajiado and Kiambu.
In a statement, the organisation indicated that following a number of tests, the confirmation of rabies in the hyenas explains the unusual aggressive behaviour towards people.
“The general public in the affected localities, in particular, are advised to exercise caution as they go about their daily activities as the necessary measures are put in place to manage the situation,” KWS said in a statement.
Recently, there have been reports of hyenas attacking people in parts of Kiambu County (Juja area) and Kajiado County (Rongai, Tuala and Eselenkei areas).
KWS indicated that to address the situation, a team was sent from its veterinary officers and Capture Services assisted by the Problem Animal Management Unit to capture hyenas that had inhabited caves within the Juja area.
“A report of a hyena having attacked a student of Multimedia University at Maasai Lodge area of Rongai on February 5, 2024, was responded to and samples collected from the hyena were taken to the National Veterinary Reference Laboratories (NVRL), Kabete for rabies test,” the statement went on to state.
It pointed out that the test results from this case were confirmed to be positive for rabies on February 8, 2024.
In another case, the KWS said a report was received of a hyena having bitten two people on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Eselenkei in Kajiado County.
Samples were collected from the hyena and delivered to NVRL, Kabete for testing.
The test results confirming the case to be positive for rabies were received on February 13, 2024.
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, KWS said a report was received from a resident of Kalimoni Location in Juja that a hyena had strayed into his compound.
The hyena was later captured and samples were sent to NVRL, Kabete for testing.
The test results confirming the case to be positive for rabies were received on February 13, 2024.