ELIMINATION OF RABIES IN NIGERIA REMAINS A PRIORITY.... PATE

Group photograph of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister for State, Ministry of Environment, Ishak Salako and others at the joint Ministerial Press Briefing held at FMAFS recently in Abuja.

"Rabies is the deadliest disease known to man with the fatality rate of almost 100% if adequate prophylaxis is not instituted immediately following an exposure." Pate.

.... Admonishes all the 36 States and FCT to rise up to the occasion with more robust commitment and join hands with the Federal Government and all other partners to eliminate the menace of rabies.

The Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare  (FMOH&SW) Professor Ali Pate has revealed Federal Government persistent efforts to eliminate rabies in the country as it continues to procure Anti Rabies Vaccines for animal vaccination and doses of Human pre- and post – exposure vaccines for vaccination of human at high risk of rabies such as animal health workers/hunters and those exposed to rabies through the bite of infected animals.

The Minister, who was represented by the Minister of State, Dr Tunji Alausa made this statement at a joint ministerial press conference to commemorate World Rabies Day  with the theme ‘All for 1, One Health For All’ held recently at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS),  Abuja.

According to him, "rabies is the deadliest disease known to man with the fatality rate of almost 100% if adequate prophylaxis is not instituted immediately following an exposure. It is zoonotic in nature, affecting all warm blooded animals and man, it is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal."

A statement from Patricia Deworitshe (Mrs.) Director lnformation in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday 27 September 2023 and a copy made available to naijnewsalert.com.ng, the Minister noted the efforts of the FMAFS, FMOH&SW and the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) in developing a National Strategy Plan for the elimination of dog -mediated human rabies in line with the global initiative to eliminate the disease by the year 2030. 

"This process had provided an enabling environment for the implementation of planned activities helping in the elimination of the disease." The Minister revealed.

He mentioned that "for the purpose of this World Rabies Day 2023 celebrations, the Federal Government is organising mass dog vaccination and vaccination of at-risk humans nationwide. Four States (Cross River, Plateau, Kano and Borno States) have also been earmarked for community engagement activities for this year’s celebration due to increased reports from these States in the recent past in order to create more awareness."

He appreciated the tremendous work of the rabies Multisectoral Technical Working Group whose collaborations and coordination of activities of rabies control has ensured that cases are promptly reported and documented as much as possible and victims of dog bite are given immediate attention to save lives.

The Minister admonished all the 36 States and FCT to rise up to the occasion with more robust commitment and join hands with the Federal Government and all other partners to eliminate the menace of rabies across the length and breadth of Nigeria, adding that, "by vaccinating your dogs and cats annually and keeping them on leashes, rabies can be kicked out of Nigeria and it is, however, heart-warming to note that the disease is 100 percent vaccine-preventable."

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) Sen. Abubakar Kyari in his speech, stated that this year’s World Rabies Day is significant as it marks the 17th anniversary of when countries of the world came together to celebrate and create awareness on rabies and  promote health to keep the world safe – so everyone everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being. 

"I join the entire world and Global Alliance for Rabies Control in its efforts towards the elimination of rabies globally, and at the same time call on global leaders, donors, and multilateral leaders to allocate long-term sustainable funding and implement policies that protect and support health security in Nigeria. I want to thank all partners and stakeholders for your valuable support," he further stated.

In his remark, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishak Salako, said that the theme of the 2023 rabies day was quite appropriate.

He emphasised the need to involve everyone through proper coordination and health education to eventually mitigate the deadly scourge adding that stray dogs were the main sources of infection as they interact with one another, with an exposure window for transmission of the virus from an infected dog.

He therefore  called on the officers with responsibility for the management of wildlife and parks to improve their surveillance activities to ensure the control of the spread of this disease.