From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State government has alerted the general public about an outbreak of rabies in two of its Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The two LGAs are Kwande and Gboko, where the disease has been confirmed.
Briefing journalists in Makurdi on Monday, the Director General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, said the Bureau was recently alerted to a suspected rabies case following reports of a dog bite incident affecting multiple individuals in Adikpo, Kwande LGA.
Asambe, who also confirmed a case in Gboko LGA, stated that investigations revealed that the infected dog in Kwande was sold to vendors intending to process it for consumption.
He, however, disclosed that the dog’s head was retrieved and submitted to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau State, where laboratory results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.
He explained that “Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease with serious implications for both human and animal health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55,000 people lose their lives to rabies annually, with most cases resulting from dog bites.
“This outbreak serves as a sobering reminder of the need for urgent action to meet the WHO’s 2030 target to eliminate dog bite-transmitted rabies.”
The DG commended an NGO, Health Development Initiative (OHDI), for their swift and invaluable support in addressing the rabies outbreak in Adikpo community by raising awareness, providing technical assistance, and facilitating ring vaccination, saying their efforts underscore the power of partnership in combating public health emergencies.
In response to the outbreak, Asambe stated that the state government, in collaboration with OHDI and other critical stakeholders, would begin tracing and identifying exposed individuals for immediate medical intervention.
He also noted that the state government would implement other measures to mitigate the disease, including community sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness about rabies prevention and control, while the government would also carry out ring vaccination of dogs in Adikpo, as well as launch a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign not only in Kwande and Gboko LGAs but across the 23 LGAs to curb the spread of the disease.
He said, “These interventions recognise the critical role dogs play in rural areas as companions, security providers, and contributors to livelihoods during hunting. Our actions aim not only to address the current outbreak but also to strengthen long-term preventive measures.”
He stated that the Bureau is committed to drafting and implementing a subnational rabies eradication plan, which will guide coordinated efforts to achieve a rabies-free Benue State by 2030.
He called on all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies as required by law, noting that the Bureau will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the vaccination programme.
“The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, is deeply committed to protecting the health and well-being of all residents. The establishment of this Bureau reflects his vision of creating efficient, responsive solutions to public health challenges such as rabies and other zoonotic diseases.”
He urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspected rabies cases in animals to the nearest veterinary office or local authorities, adding that anyone bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal should seek medical attention immediately.
