The Benue State Government has confirmed an outbreak of the rabies virus in Kwande and Gboko Local Government Areas (LGAs), prompting swift action to address the public health threat.
Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, Director General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi.
According to Asambe, the bureau was alerted to suspected rabies cases following reports of dog bites involving multiple individuals in Adikpo, Kwande LGA, and Gboko LGA.
“In total, seven persons were bitten by the two infected dogs. The government has commenced contact tracing to identify those affected,” Asambe said.
He revealed that the infected dog in Adikpo was sold to vendors for consumption, but its head was retrieved and sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau State. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.
“Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease with serious implications for both human and animal health,” Asambe warned. “According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 55,000 people die annually from rabies, with most cases resulting from dog bites. This outbreak is a sobering reminder of the need for urgent action to meet the WHO’s 2030 target to eliminate dog bite-transmitted rabies.”
Further investigations confirmed that the dog bite in Gboko was also a rabies case.
In response, the bureau, in collaboration with the One Health Development Initiative (OHDI) and other critical stakeholders, has initiated several measures to contain the outbreak. These include:
- Contact tracing and providing medical intervention to exposed individuals.
- Community sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about rabies prevention and control.
- Ring vaccination of dogs in Adikpo and a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign across Kwande and Gboko.
Asambe emphasized the importance of these measures, noting the critical role dogs play in rural areas as companions, security providers, and contributors to livelihoods through hunting.
“Our aim is not only to address the current outbreak but also to strengthen long-term preventive measures. Looking ahead, the bureau is committed to drafting and implementing a subnational rabies eradication plan to achieve a rabies-free Benue by 2030,” he stated.
The D-G urged pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies as required by law and encouraged residents to remain vigilant.
“I implore everyone to report any suspected rabies cases in animals to the nearest veterinary office or local authorities. Anyone bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal should seek medical attention immediately,” Asambe advised.
He also commended OHDI and other partners for their support in combating rabies in Benue State.
The government’s decisive interventions aim to curb the current outbreak while laying the groundwork for a rabies-free future.
