By Felicia Imohimi
The Federal Government has urged states and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to intensify annual mass dog vaccination to prevent human deaths from rabies.
Dr Chinyere Akunjobi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), made the call on Monday in Abuja at a symposium to commemorate World Rabies Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Rabies Day is marked annually on September 28, with the 2026 theme: “Stronger Together”.
Akunjobi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, said no Nigerian should die from a dog bite because the disease was preventable through vaccination and appropriate response.
She said a dog-bite incident should trigger veterinary investigation, laboratory diagnosis, post-exposure prophylaxis and community sensitisation.
According to her, effective response required collaboration among veterinary clinics, hospitals, laboratories, public health authorities and communities.
Akunjobi said responsible dog ownership included regular vaccination, proper confinement and supervision, identification and prompt veterinary care for sick animals.
She said the theme promoted the One Health approach, which links human, animal and environmental health.
“Rabies remains one of the world’s most devastating yet entirely preventable zoonotic diseases.
“Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100 per cent fatal. Yet, it is also 100 per cent preventable with the tools, vaccines and knowledge we already possess. No Nigerian should die from a dog bite,” she said.
Akunjobi said dogs were responsible for more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths globally, making vaccination of dogs critical to preventing transmission.
She said mass dog vaccination was an effective and cost-effective way of breaking the transmission cycle, adding that 70 per cent coverage could interrupt transmission.
She said the ministry was working to improve veterinary services, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and veterinary public health.
Akunjobi said Nigeria was targeting zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
Dr Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), FMLD, called for stronger collaboration among sectors involved in disease control.
Anzaku said prevention required the involvement of veterinary and medical services, environmental health authorities, local governments, research institutions, the private sector and development partners.
He said controlling the disease in the dog population was critical to reducing human infections.
The CVON identified inadequate vaccination coverage in some areas, under-reporting, limited access to post-exposure prophylaxis, weak surveillance and inadequate funding as challenges.
“These challenges require innovative, evidence-based and locally appropriate solutions,” he said.
Anzaku said the symposium provided an opportunity to examine challenges, share experiences and identify practical measures to reduce human deaths.
(NAN) www.nannews.ng
FUA/TAK
Edited by Tosin Kolade
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