With rabies becoming increasingly widespread in the nation, Veterinary professionals in Nigeria are urging the swift implementation of actions to address the ongoing danger posed by the disease. They highlight the crucial role of cooperation among government agencies, health practitioners, and community members. These specialists underscore the necessity for widespread educational initiatives, large-scale animal vaccinations, and more robust regulations to curb the transmission of this lethal illness. The announcement was made on the occasion of the 2024 World Rabies Day, under the theme “Breaking Rabies Boundaries.”
This year’s focus highlights the necessity of advancing beyond Nigeria’s present rabies control measures. The gathering emphasised the critical need for uniting human, animal, and Environmental Health initiatives to combat zoonotic diseases like rabies, which pose serious risks to both humans and animals. Dr. Chinna Joe-Irugbe, who serves as the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), emphasised the urgent need to raise awareness among the public, especially in rural communities where the issue is widespread.
A large part of the population remains unaware of the danger.
She voiced her worry that a significant number of individuals in Nigeria remain uninformed about the disease, even though the disease can have dire effects. While they understand what rabies entails, a large part of the population remains unaware, Joe-Irugbe pointed out, advocating for creative approaches and cooperation across various sectors. She highlighted the necessity of a coordinated strategy to address the geographic, socio-economic, and educational challenges that impede rabies elimination. By dismantling these obstacles, Nigeria can achieve extensive vaccination, enhanced awareness, and improved medical access.
Through the One Health initiative, they can combine human, animal, and environmental health, fostering a comprehensive approach to disease management. This has claimed many lives because of inadequate information and delayed action. Many do not recognise dogs’ unusual conduct and keep interacting with them, resulting in a fatality. This underscores the critical necessity for enhanced dialogue and partnership between health authorities and communities to avert similar tragedies in the future. The disease continues to be among the deadliest diseases in Nigeria, with about 10,000 cases documented each year.
Accountable pet ownership will be promoted to eradicate rabies by 2030.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr. Oladotun Fadipe, the Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), urged the government to implement strict measures that require dog vaccination, given that dogs are the main transmitters of rabies. He proposed that penalties should be imposed on dog owners who neglect to vaccinate their animals, as this would promote accountable pet ownership and aid in the goal of eliminating rabies by 2030. Fadipe highlighted the critical role of collaboration across various sectors in tackling the issues.
He pointed out that overcoming the obstacles presented by the disease necessitates a unified approach involving government bodies, veterinary agencies, health organisations, and local communities. He stated that rabies is a transboundary disease that does not acknowledge borders, underscoring the necessity for cohesive efforts in combating rabies. He emphasises the need for increased awareness, more robust policies, and ongoing vaccination initiatives. By embracing a One Health strategy and fostering collaboration among various sectors, the nation can eliminate rabies by 2030, protecting both human and animal lives from this fatal disease.
Related Article: VCN to promote animal health for food safety
Dr. Iherenma Okoli, the founder of the Kick Out Rabies Initiative and a Veterinary Consultant, highlighted the disease as a major Public Health concern. She pointed out that the elevated rates are due to insufficient reporting and the nation’s restricted diagnostic resources. The disease mainly impacts younger people between the ages of 5 and 15, as they tend to engage with animals while often overlooking the indicators of the disease. Okoli emphasised that the disease can be entirely avoided with vaccinations. However, the difficulty is in ensuring that regulations are upheld and adequate financial resources are allocated for vaccination initiatives and educational efforts.