Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched a mass dog vaccination campaign in Plateau State to control and eradicate rabies. The launch coincided with World Rabies Day on September 28th.
Shase-et Sipat Dawat, Director and Chief Veterinary Officer of Plateau State, highlighted the importance of rabies prevention, noting that the state has one of the highest incidence rates of rabies. He emphasized that rabies is nearly 100% fatal but preventable through vaccination.
Dawat thanked FAO for their support and acknowledged Plateau State’s selection as one of two states for the campaign. Stephen Dawoh stressed collaborative action against rabies, a serious public health threat. L.H. Lombin emphasized annual dog vaccinations to prevent the disease.
The event provided free anti-rabies vaccines to dogs, marking progress in controlling the disease in Plateau State.
Addressing Rabies on a National Scale
The Nigerian federal government is urging citizens to vaccinate their dogs to prevent the spread of rabies, a deadly disease affecting humans and animals. To commemorate World Rabies Day 2024, Chief Veterinary Officer Ositi Bakuru emphasized awareness and prevention in Abuja.
A nationwide dog vaccination campaign was launched on September 28th, aligning with the global goal of eliminating rabies by 2030. This initiative is part of a national strategic plan developed with partners like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
Key strategies for rabies control include responsible dog ownership, registration, vaccination, and record-keeping. Dog owners are legally required to license their dogs and carry vaccination cards.
Rabies has caused human deaths in several states, including Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and Cross River. Dr. Jide Idris of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately 10,000 rabies infections annually, stressing the need for cross-sector collaboration to eliminate the disease.
To address this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare distributes human rabies vaccines free of charge to affected states. A nationwide awareness campaign using multilingual jingles educates the public on prevention and treatment.
Proper waste disposal is also crucial in controlling stray dog populations and preventing rabies spread. By working together, Nigeria aims to eliminate rabies by 2030. The government urges citizens to take proactive measures to protect themselves, their pets, and their communities from this deadly disease.
