The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter, has launched a campaign to raise awareness about rabies and prevent its spread in communities. The campaign, which marked the 2026 World Rabies Day, included a state-level symposium at Rivers State University and a free dog vaccination exercise in Bonny Local Government Area. The association emphasized that rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that requires collaboration among veterinary professionals, medical practitioners, government, communities, schools, security agencies, and animal owners.
The symposium, held under the global theme "Stronger Together," focused on strengthening public awareness, responsible animal ownership, vaccination, and cooperation between animal and human health professionals. Chairman of the NVMA in Rivers State, Dr. Gloria Daminabo, stressed that every stakeholder has a role to play in preventing deaths from rabies. She identified vaccination, surveillance, public education, responsible ownership of animals, and prompt management of exposure as essential measures in reducing the burden of rabies.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. B.B. Fakae noted that rabies is one of the oldest and deadliest zoonotic diseases known to humanity, with thousands of people dying annually from the disease, mostly in Africa. He emphasized that the disease is preventable with effective vaccines available for both humans and animals. However, he identified inadequate healthcare delivery, professional silos, and poor community awareness as gaps undermining efforts to control the disease.
Prof. Fakae stressed the need to strengthen veterinary services in Rivers State, arguing that adequate numbers of veterinary doctors are necessary to protect both animal and human health. He advocated for a One Health model, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. According to him, protecting an animal through vaccination can equally mean protecting a child or other members of the community.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Mercy Dagobu Iboroma, called for sustained collaboration among government, veterinary and health professionals, schools, communities, and pet owners. She commended the NVMA for extending the 2026 World Rabies Day activities beyond the symposium to schools and communities through awareness campaigns and dog vaccination.
The NVMA team led by Dr. Daminabo and the Chairman of the World Rabies Day Committee, Dr. Ibitoye Timothy, paid a courtesy visit to the Bonny Local Government Council before proceeding to the Industrial Unit Field for the community outreach. Community members, dog owners, and students from three secondary schools participated in the programme, which featured education on rabies, responsible dog ownership, and safe behaviour around dogs.
The awareness session was followed by free vaccination of dogs against rabies. The exercise provided a practical demonstration of the association's call for collective action against rabies. The campaign aims to reduce the burden of rabies in Rivers State and promote responsible animal ownership and public health.
Key points
- The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association has intensified its campaign against rabies in Rivers State through a state-level symposium and free dog vaccination exercise.
- The association emphasized that rabies is a deadly but preventable disease that requires collaboration among stakeholders.
- The campaign aims to promote responsible animal ownership, public health, and reduce the burden of rabies in Rivers State.
