, '' he added . `` I think it was probably that no one was prepared for such a high case load . '' The number of cases has now started declining , however , said Bernardino . According to Meslin , this could be because the current infected pack of dogs has died . Meslin told CNN that the Angolan government needed to embark on a dog rabies control program urgently to prevent further outbreaks . Angola 's capital , where most of the population live in slums , has a large number of stray dogs who are said to have caused the epidemic . `` We have had some sporadic cases in other provincial capitals in the country ; we think the virus was brought into Luanda and then spread through the dogs -- Angolans love dogs , '' Bernardino said . `` When the first 10 deaths were reported in December 2008 we alerted the authorities , but we do not have veterinary services in the city , no kennels -LSB- to keep and observe the animals -RSB- and vaccinate them , '' he added . Another problem contributing to the crisis is that vaccines are too
LONDON , England -- A severe rabies epidemic has claimed the lives of at least 83 children within three months in Angola 's capital , Luanda , the World Health Organization -LRB- WHO -RRB- has said . Luanda , which has a large population of stray dogs , also has some of the world 's worst slums . Describing the situation as `` very worrying , '' WHO rabies expert Francois Meslin told CNN : `` This is a huge number and could be the tip of the iceberg . '' A doctor working at the country 's biggest referral hospital Hospital Pediatrico David Bernardino said staff were unable to save any of the children as rabies vaccines had run out . Some of the children were also brought into the hospital too late to be saved , Luis Bernardino , head of the hospital told UN humanitarian organization IRIN . He warned that the number of deaths could be much higher . `` The children were brought to our hospital and are the only ones we know of , so the number could be higher , '' Bernardino told IRIN . `` It is a sad moment for us