By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024. The Nigerian government has announced its plans to launch a nationwide dog vaccination campaign. This initiative is a crucial component of the national strategic plan to eliminate rabies, aligning with the global objective of eradicating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.
The urgency of this campaign is emphasized by alarming statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which reports approximately 10,000 annual rabies infections in the country. States such as Gombe, Plateau, Kano and Cross River have seen a concerning rise in human fatalities due to rabies, stressing the critical nature of this public health issue.
"The public often isn't aware of the danger until it's too late. Once the symptoms of rabies appear in humans, death is almost inevitable," warned Columba Vakuru, Nigeria's Chief Veterinary Officer, during an awareness walk in Abuja to mark the 2024 World Rabies Day.
The government's approach includes not only mass vaccinations but also the establishment of a dog registry. This system aims to hold pet owners accountable and better manage animal movement across the country. "Over the last two years, we have made progress by collaborating with partners such as the FAO, WHO, Breakthrough Action Nigeria and others to develop a national strategic plan to eliminate rabies," Vakuru explained.
The campaign's launch on September 28th kickstarted a series of activities designed to raise awareness and combat the spread of rabies. A key focus is on promoting responsible dog ownership, which includes registration, vaccination and maintaining proper vaccination records.
Nasir Ahmed from the NCDC emphasized the preventable nature of rabies, stating, "Rabies is 100% vaccine-preventable, but without vaccination, it has a near-100% fatality rate." This stark reality highlights the critical importance of the vaccination campaign and public awareness efforts.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, represented by Dorcas Mernyi, highlighted the cross-sector collaboration required to tackle rabies effectively. The ministry has been distributing human rabies vaccines free of charge to affected states and has launched a nationwide awareness campaign in multiple languages.
"Through these combined efforts, we are confident that rabies can be eradicated in Nigeria," said Mairo Kachalla from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, echoing the optimism shared by officials across various government agencies.
As Nigeria embarks on this ambitious campaign to "Break Rabies Boundaries" - the theme of this year's World Rabies Day - the collaboration between government agencies, international organizations and community volunteers offers hope for achieving the 2030 elimination target. With sustained effort and public cooperation, the dream of a rabies-free Nigeria may soon become a reality.
Source: The Nation News
Published: OCTOBER 2, 2024
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