The Federal Government has started a free anti-rabies vaccination campaign for dogs in various parts of the country, beginning with Gwagwalada, Kubwa, and other areas. This initiative aims to curb the spread of the deadly disease and reduce the burden of rabies in Nigeria. The campaign, which started on September 26, is a collaborative effort between the Federal and state governments, development partners, veterinarians, and other stakeholders.
According to Dr. Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON) and Director of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), the vaccination campaign is part of efforts to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. He made this disclosure during a road walk organized to commemorate the 2026 World Rabies Day, observed annually on September 28.
The World Rabies Day theme, "Stronger Together," highlights the importance of collaboration among dog owners, government institutions, and other stakeholders in tackling the disease. The One Health approach brings together the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Livestock Development, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant organizations to raise public awareness and strengthen rabies prevention measures.
Dr. Anzaku urged dog owners to take their pets to designated veterinary clinics to receive the free vaccination. He also announced plans to provide human pre-exposure prophylaxis to frontline workers who regularly come into contact with dogs, including veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals, and hunters. This move aims to prevent the spread of the disease among those who are most at risk.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) is collaborating with the Ministries of Health and Environment, NCDC, and the World Against Rabies Foundation to implement the vaccination campaign. Dr. Anzaku described rabies as a preventable viral disease that affects warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites.
According to Dr. George Onyemaowa, National Coordinator, Rabies Control and Eradication Programme, FMLD, rabies reports are being received from between 18 and 20 states every month. He identified Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe as some of the states reporting high numbers of rabies cases. Onyemaowa urged members of the public to immediately wash dog-bite wounds with soap and water before proceeding to the nearest hospital.
The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has expressed its commitment to supporting efforts to eradicate rabies. Dr. Moses Arokoyo, President of NVMA, said deaths from rabies are particularly distressing because the disease is preventable. The association is working with the government and other stakeholders to raise public awareness and strengthen rabies prevention measures.
Key points
- The Federal Government has commenced a free anti-rabies vaccination campaign for dogs in various parts of Nigeria.
- The vaccination campaign aims to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.
- The One Health approach is being used to bring together relevant organizations to raise public awareness and strengthen rabies prevention measures.
