Renowned veterinary parasitologist Barinade Beke Fakae has emphasized the importance of collective action in the fight against rabies, a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Fakae, a former vice chancellor of Rivers State University, made these remarks at the World Rabies Day 2026 celebration in Port Harcourt, organized by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA). He stressed that rabies is a preventable tragedy that requires a unified approach to eradicate.
According to Fakae, rabies is a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in underserved communities where access to veterinary care, vaccines, and public health education is limited. The disease is primarily spread through dog bites, with dogs being the major carriers worldwide. In Africa, an estimated 21,000 people die annually from rabies, with most of them being children. Fakae noted that the tragedy of rabies lies not in the lack of scientific understanding or the absence of a cure but in the gaps within healthcare delivery and the lack of awareness at the community level.
Fakae highlighted the need for a "One Health" approach, which recognizes that the health of people is inextricably linked to the health of animals and the environment. He emphasized that veterinarians, medical doctors, environmental health officers, public health agencies, community leaders, policymakers, and dog owners must work together to prevent the spread of rabies. The NVMA's theme for World Rabies Day, "Stronger Together, Saving Lives," underscores the importance of collective action in achieving public health goals.
The NVMA's Rivers State chapter, led by Gloria Daminabo and Chigoziri Peace Mbor, sought Fakae's expertise to lead the discussion on rabies control. In their letter to Fakae, they noted that the theme and sub-theme highlight the critical reality that collective efforts are the most effective tool in the fight against rabies. They recognized Fakae's leadership and extensive experience in the field, which uniquely qualifies him to guide the year's discussion on the vital importance of professional synergy in achieving public health goals.
Fakae noted that rabies is not just a disease but a social and economic burden, a public health emergency, and a community tragedy that disproportionately affects the vulnerable. He emphasized that mass dog vaccination is the most effective strategy for eliminating rabies, requiring coordinated campaigns, community mobilization, and government support. Public awareness and education are also crucial, as many rabies deaths occur because victims do not know what to do after a dog bite.
The fight against rabies requires immediate wound care, such as washing the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, followed by post-exposure prophylaxis, including a series of rabies vaccines and, if needed, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG). Fakae stressed that when we work in silos, rabies thrives, but when we work together, rabies retreats. He called for a renewed commitment to synergy in the fight against rabies.
To truly save lives, Fakae emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration in critical areas, including mass dog vaccination, public awareness and education, and prompt post-exposure prophylaxis. He noted that the fight against rabies is not a sprint but a relay race that requires seamless handoffs between veterinary services, human health services, and the community. By working together, we can prevent the spread of rabies and ultimately save lives within our communities.
Key points
- - An estimated 21,000 people die annually from rabies in Africa. - Collective action and a "One Health" approach are crucial in preventing the spread of rabies. - Mass dog vaccination and public awareness and education are key strategies in eliminating rabies.
