The Kenya Wildlife Service has revealed that rabies-infected hyenas are attacking Kenyans in Kajiado and Kiambu Counties.
In a statement, KWS says that confirming rabies in the hyenas following several tests explains the unusual aggressive behavior 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.
The revelation comes after reports of hyenas attacking people in parts of Kiambu County (Juja area) and Kajiado County (Rongai, Tuala, and Eselenkei areas).
As a result, a team was sent from KWS’s veterinary officers and Capture Services, assisted by the Problem Animal Management Unit to capture hyenas that had inhabited caves within the Juja area.
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“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,” read the statement in part.
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.
On February 13, 2024, the test results showing that the case was positive for rabies were received.
A resident of Kalimoni Location in Juja reported to KWS on Sunday, February 11, 2024, that a hyena had wandered into his compound.
After the hyena was apprehended, samples were transferred to the NVRL in Kabete for analysis.
On February 13, 2024, the test results showing that the case was positive for rabies were received.
