By Felicia Imohimi
Blueblood Vet Services has commenced a one-year free rabies vaccination programme targeting selected communities in four states and the FCT.
Dr Bala Muhammed, Director of Blueblood Vet Services, disclosed this on the sidelines of the National Symposium on Rabies Elimination in Abuja.
Muhammed said the programme targeted hard-to-reach communities in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, Niger, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, with about 55,000 dogs projected to be vaccinated.
He said the intervention was aimed at supporting efforts to eliminate human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, with products and services estimated at N18 million.
“Vaccination in Kuje and Niger has commenced and so far, over 30 dogs have been vaccinated,” Muhammed said.
He appealed to hunters, vigilantes, youth groups, traditional and faith-based leaders to support access to communities, reporting of dog-bite cases and public awareness on appropriate bite management.
Muhammed also said the Small Animal Veterinary Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), in collaboration with its members, had commenced free rabies vaccination in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Akwa Ibom and Abia States.
He said SAVAN was responsible for sourcing canine vaccines and human pre- and post-exposure vaccines, as well as providing technical coordination.
According to him, the association is also liaising with a pharmaceutical company to provide prophylaxis for frontline workers.
“We have deployed two teams comprising a veterinarian and three assistant veterinarians, with an estimated monthly cost of about N1.2 million,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
FUA/TAK
Edited by Tosin Kolade
Comments