Rabies: FG urges states, LGAs to intensify annual dog vaccination

Health, News

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — The Federal Government has urged states and Local Government Areas (LGAs) to intensify annual mass dog vaccination to prevent human deaths from rabies.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), Dr Chinyere Akunjobi, made the call on Monday in Abuja at a symposium organised to commemorate World Rabies Day.

World Rabies Day is observed annually on September 28. The 2026 theme is “Stronger Together”, reflecting the One Health approach to addressing diseases at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health.

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Akunjobi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, said no Nigerian should die from a dog bite because rabies was preventable through vaccination and appropriate response.

She said every dog-bite incident should trigger veterinary investigation, laboratory diagnosis, post-exposure prophylaxis and community sensitisation.

According to her, effective rabies prevention required collaboration among veterinary clinics, hospitals, laboratories, public health authorities and communities.

Akunjobi also called for responsible dog ownership, including regular vaccination, proper confinement and supervision, identification and prompt veterinary care for sick animals.

“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.

She said dogs accounted for more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths globally, making dog vaccination critical to preventing transmission.

Akunjobi said mass dog vaccination was an effective and cost-effective way of breaking the transmission cycle, adding that 70 per cent vaccination coverage could interrupt transmission.

She said the ministry was working to improve veterinary services, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity and veterinary public health, while Nigeria was targeting zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

Stakeholders seek stronger collaboration

The Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr Samuel Anzaku, called for stronger collaboration among sectors involved in disease prevention and control.

Anzaku said effective rabies 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 rabies 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 key challenges.

“These challenges require innovative, evidence-based and locally appropriate solutions,” he said.

Anzaku said the symposium provided an opportunity to examine existing challenges, share experiences and identify practical measures to reduce human deaths from rabies.

(NAN)