The Benue government has confirmed the outbreak of the rabies virus in the Kwande and Gboko local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

The director general (DG) of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, Aondoakaa Asambe, disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi.

Mr Asambe said the bureau was alerted to suspected rabies cases following reports of a dog bite incident affecting multiple individuals in Adikpo, Kwande LGA, and Gboko LGA.

The DG explained that seven persons were bitten by the two dogs, and the government has commenced contact tracing to identify those involved.

He said investigations revealed that the infected dog in Adikpo was sold to vendors to process for consumption.

“Thankfully, the dog’s head was retrieved and submitted to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau, where laboratory results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.

“Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease with serious implications for both human and animal health.

“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 55,000 people lose their lives to rabies annually, with most cases resulting from dog bites.

“This outbreak serves as a sobering reminder of the need for urgent action to meet the WHO’s 2030 target to eliminate dog bite-transmitted rabies,” he said

Mr Asambe said the result also showed that the dog bite in Gboko LG was also a rabies case.

In response to the outbreak, he said the bureau, in collaboration with the One Health Development Initiative (OHDI) and other critical stakeholders, has taken steps to address it.

“Tracing and identifying exposed individuals for immediate medical intervention.

“Community sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness about rabies prevention and control.

“Ring vaccination of dogs in Adikpo and the launch of a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign across Kwande and Gboko to curb the spread of the disease,” he said.

The DG said the interventions became necessary following the critical role dogs play in rural areas as companions, security providers, and contributors to livelihoods (hunting).

He said their aim was to address the current outbreak and strengthen long-term preventive measures.

“Looking ahead, the bureau is committed to draughting and implementing a subnational rabies eradication plan, which will guide our coordinated efforts to achieve a rabies-free Benue state by 2030.

“We call on all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies as required by law. The bureau will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the vaccination programme,” he said.

Mr Asambe commended OHDI for their support and other partners’ contributions to collectively eradicate rabies in Benue State and beyond.

(NAN)