Determined to rid the state of rabies , Kogi state government in collaboration with the federal government’s department of veterinary and pest control services, on Tuesday launched anti rabies vaccine campaign for dogs.
Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, while flagging off the exercise, disclosed that the government has provided the needed environment and logistics for the vaccines to be administered on dogs and other pets across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Governor Bello, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Agriculture, Honourable David Apeh , said the vaccination of the pets became necessary in a bid to prevent rabies which is transmitted through bites by infected dogs and cats that could result to mental illness or death.
While lamenting that only about 5% of dogs received vaccination, due largely to high cost and ignorance, the Governor, promised to ensure that at least 70% of the pets population are vaccinated for three consecutive years, as recommended by the World organization of the animal health, (OIE).
He explained that it is in this regard that the department of veterinary and livestock services in the state Ministry of Agriculture is being mandated to carry out rabies enlightenment and mass vaccination campaign against rabies for dogs across the state.
In his speech at the ceremony the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, who is also the Director of veterinary and pest control services, Dr Olaniran Alabi of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, described rabies as a highly fatal disease that affect all worm blooded animals transmitted through bites by infected animals or man that can lead to death.
Dr Alabi however stated that despite the high fatality, the disease is 100% preventable through mass dog vaccination and enlightenment campaigns on responsible ” dog ownership” as dogs are said to account for 99% of human death’s that resulted from rabies.
According to the Director, the disease thrives in developing countries of Africa and Asia affecting mostly children of school age due to ignorance, adding that about 70,000 people died of rabies globally every year.
He said the disease has become more endemic in Nigeria since it was first reported in 1912, especially as the majority of dogs are unlicenced, unvaccinated and allowed to roam freely in the communities.
” The dog / human population ratio is high as dogs are increasingly being bred and used for hunting, security and companionship among others. In Nigeria it has been reported that less than 5% of dogs are vaccinated due to high cost of the vaccine ” the Chief Veterinary Officer lamented.
He therefore urged Nigerians to know that they have very crucial role to play in combating the deadly disease and will learn something new about rabies and how to protect themselves and the community from coming into contact with the virus.
While commending the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his support and provision of the enabling environment for the campaign, Dr Alabi appealed to the people of Kogi state to always be vigilant and report cases of bites by animals and humans to the nearest medical clinics.