Plateau Flags Off Statewide Dog Vaccination Drive to Eradicate Rabies

…VTH UniJos hosts Plateau’s rabies vaccination flag-off to eradicate disease

In a proactive measure to prevent the transmission of rabies, a lethal infectious disease, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched a mass dog vaccination campaign at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Jos, Plateau State.

This initiative, part of the World Rabies Day 2024 festivities, is being executed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This year’s theme, “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” emphasizes the need to enhance vaccination efforts and raise awareness to ultimately eradicate the disease.

National Accord reports that September 28 has been designated as World Rabies Day to commemorate the anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the renowned French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first rabies vaccine. This day serves to elevate awareness concerning rabies prevention and to celebrate advancements in the fight against the disease.

In his welcome address, Dr. Shase’et Sipat Dawat,Director and Chief Veterinary Officer of Plateau State, underscored the critical importance of rabies prevention in Plateau State, a region with one of the highest incidences of rabies cases in both humans and animals. He explained that rabies is nearly 100% fatal once clinical symptoms appear, but the good news is that it is almost entirely preventable through vaccination.

“Today’s mass dog vaccination campaign is a key step toward the global target of eradicating rabies by 2030,” Dr. Dawat emphasized.

He expressed appreciation to FAO for its support and collaboration, recognizing the honor of Plateau State being one of the only two states chosen for this year’s campaign.

“We hope today’s event will mark a turning point, where dog owners will become more proactive in vaccinating their dogs annually to protect both their pets and the community at large.Rabies is a disease that can be controlled and ultimately eradicated, but it requires all of us to take responsibility. Our collective efforts today will help ensure that future generations don’t have to live with the threat of this deadly disease.” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba Teru Vakuru, Dr. Stephen Dawoh focused on the importance of collective action in eradicating rabies.

“Rabies is a disease that does not recognize boundaries. It remains a serious public health threat, but with continued efforts like this mass dog vaccination campaign, we can begin to break down the barriers and make progress towards a rabies-free Nigeria by 2030,” he stated.

Dr. Dawoh emphasized the need for sustained vaccination efforts and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the disease.

“With initiatives like today’s, we are breaking rabies boundaries and working toward a safer future for all.Through our collaboration with FAO and other key stakeholders, we are confident that Nigeria is on the right track toward eliminating rabies. We must remain steadfast and continue to expand vaccination coverage in high-risk areas to reach the global target of eradicating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.” he noted.

Also, Dr. Ayi Vandi Kwaghe, speaking on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized the global commitment to eliminating rabies as a deadly zoonotic disease. She highlighted the importance of the day’s campaign as a crucial step in the battle against rabies, noting that sustained efforts are key to reaching the 2030 target for global eradication.

She also expressed FAO’s dedication to supporting initiatives that advance public health through the prevention of rabies and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.

In her goodwill message, Prof. L.H. Lombin, Director, VTH UniJos, stressed the devastating impact of rabies on both animals and humans in Plateau State. She shared the challenges faced by the teaching hospital in handling rabies cases, recounting heart-wrenching incidents where human victims, often from vulnerable backgrounds, were unable to afford treatment.

Prof. Lombin underscored the importance of annual dog vaccinations as a preventive measure, advocating for increased public awareness and participation in the free vaccination campaign.

She stated.“We should be vaccinating our dogs every year, and it’s free! If the state encourages people to bring their dogs for vaccination, we can prevent rabies entirely. Vaccinating the dogs stops the infection from spreading to humans—it’s that simple. But sadly, not enough people take advantage of this opportunity.

“There is a population at risk: small children, butchers, hunters—all of whom interact closely with dogs. While we can’t always control what happens to humans, we can take action with the animals, which is why we are targeting rabies at its source.”

Flagging off the event, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Samson Bugama, emphasized the global significance of World Rabies Day.

He stated, “World Rabies Day is a global call to action against a devastating disease that claims around 59,000 human lives each year, with most deaths occurring in rural and semi-urban communities of developing countries. Rabies knows no borders, affecting people and animals worldwide.”

He highlighted the need for a collective effort to break the barriers hindering rabies prevention through vaccination and education.

Bugama also called upon local leaders to mobilize their communities in the fight against rabies, reaffirming the Plateau State government’s commitment to improving animal health and controlling zoonotic diseases. “It is time for us to rise, break geographical and social boundaries, and eradicate rabies once and for all,” he affirmed.

The event saw the participation of various stakeholders, including veterinary professionals, Animal Health Technologists, dog owners, and representatives from hunting associations. Free anti-rabies vaccinations were administered to dogs, marking a significant advancement in the fight against rabies in Plateau State, one of Nigeria’s areas heavily impacted by the disease.