At least eight rabies cases were recorded in Ebonyi between January and September, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Daniel Umezurike, said on Wednesday.

Mr Umezurike disclosed this during Ebonyi Dog-Mediated Human Rabies Control Programme, an event to mark this year’s World Rabies Day.

He stated that five human contacts were line listed, vaccinated and currently under surveillance.

The commissioner explained that a furious rabies case would be hyperactive and might display erratic behaviour with symptoms of insomnia, excess salivation problem in swallowing, and other symptoms that took long to set in.

He added that collaboration was a key strategy for prevention, as a dog and human prevention vaccine and public awareness would prevent the disease.

“Prevention of rabies can be done by eliminating rabies in dogs through vaccination which is the most cost-effective strategy for prevention in people.

“Dog vaccination reduces deaths attributed to dog-mediated rabies,” Mr Umezurike said.

He urged residents in the state to remain calm, go about their businesses, avoid self-medication and report suspected cases to health authorities.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Humphrey Nwobashi, corroborated the figure given by his health counterpart and said that all the cases had both human and animal contacts.

Mr Nwobashi stressed the need for concerted authorities to come together under “one health” to mitigate the risk of rabies in humans and animals.

The state coordinator, World Health Organisation, Vivian Ibeziako, noted that the COVID-19 era had shown the importance of collaboration with agencies and key partners.

She urged such agencies and partners to strengthen collaborations in animal health and other key programmes for good healthcare for society.

(NAN)