The Sokoto State government in collaboration with Nigerian government has flagged off anti-rabies campaign to enlighten people on the importance of vaccinating dogs.
Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony in Sokoto, the Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Olanitan Alabi, said that the exercise was part of the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that, at least 70% of dogs should be vaccinated annually for three consecutive years.
OIE explained that this would break transmission cycle of rabies and consequently eliminate the disease.
Ehanire noted that the disease thrived in low to medium income countries of Africa and Asia, affecting mostly children due to ignorance and that 70,000 people die of rabies annually.
He said the tripartite collaboration of WHO, OIE and FAO set an agenda for the eradication of dog mediated human rabies by 2030.
“In our effort to achieve this global target, the department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services sought for additional international support and OIE responded by donating 200,000 doses of anti rabies vaccine (ARV) to the country”, he said
The vaccines were distributed to states based on their reported status and number of reported cases.
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Professor Abdulkadir Junaidu, said rabies is deadlier than HIV/AIDS and Coronavirus because its victim hardly survives the disease.
International Day Against Rabies
According to Professor Junaidu, the vaccination campaign was part of activity to mark International Day against Rabies and to encourage people to understand the relevance of vaccinating their dogs.
He added that the state government had reiterated more commitment to support policies and programmes that will help to eradicate rabies disease.
Junaidu explained that the State will continue to compliment various efforts to end the menace by 2023.
“Rabies disease affects about 23% of people which needs to be tackled for sustainable health environment across Sokoto and the country in general”, he said.
The Commissioner however called for relevant stakeholders to sensitize people for timely vaccination of all dogs across the country.
The District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, commended the organizers of the event and assured more support in enlightening the general public on the overall health benefits in Sokoto State.
Nneka Ukachukwu
