In light of the 2025 World Rabies Day–celebrated on 28th September–the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, expressed the federal government’s pledge to eliminate rabies by 2030, in accordance with global targets.
The Minister called on all dog and pet owners to ensure their animals receive annual vaccinations, emphasising that rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear but entirely preventable beforehand.
The Ministry has rolled out a comprehensive strategy that includes mass dog vaccination campaigns and stronger veterinary services. This year’s focus is on eight high-risk states where cases are reported to be rising.
To support this, 7,000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine have been procured for dogs, with another 7,000 doses of human pre-exposure vaccines allocated for frontline animal health workers. Educational materials are also being developed to teach communities what to do after a dog bite and how to prevent transmission.
What to know about rabies
Rabies, a viral infection affecting the central nervous system, is most commonly transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected dogs. Once inside the body, the virus travels to the brain, resulting in an inflammation.
Early symptoms are akin to flu, fever, headache, and weakness. In time, the disease progresses into anxiety, confusion, paralysis, and ultimately coma and death. Nearly 100% of people who show symptoms die. The only defences are strong vaccination of dogs and prompt post-bite human treatment.
Globally, rabies is responsible for an estimated 59,000 deaths every year, with about 95% occurring in Africa and Asia. Children under 15 make up nearly 40% of global rabies deaths. In Nigeria, the disease claims an estimated 10,000 human lives annually.
In the one year leading to October 2022, 232 dog bite incidents in 11 states resulted in 53 confirmed rabies cases, of which 17 were fatal. Recently, Delta State reported over 60 incidents and five deaths in just three months.
Dogs themselves contract the infection when bitten by another infected dog or bat. The virus silently incubates for weeks before symptoms start to manifest.
Infected dogs often show unusual aggression, excessive drooling or disorientation—behaviours that make them more likely to bite and spread the virus further.
Given that dogs are the primary vector of rabies in Nigeria, controlling the disease in animals is the surest way to protect human lives.
Vaccination coverage among the dog population in some Nigerian communities falls short of the World Health Organisation’s target of 70–80%. The country’s dog vaccination coverage in Lagos was about 64.1%, per one survey.
Why vaccination is indispensable
Vaccinating pets, especially dogs, is the primary way to break the chain of transmission, since access to treatment in rural areas is weak, and the costs of medication are high.
When approximately 70% of a dog population is vaccinated, it achieves “herd immunity” against rabies, making outbreaks much less likely.
Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, thereby protecting those who are not immune, such as individuals with weakened immune systems or those who cannot be vaccinated.
Pre-exposure vaccination for human health workers and good public awareness will further minimise risk. Besides, it’s far more effective than treatment after infection.
Summary not available at this time.
