Nigeria records over 100 rabies cases in eight months — FMLD

"Reports of rabies cases were received from between 18 and 20 states in some months, adding that parts of the North-Central and North-East were of particular concern." Dr. George Onyemaokwu, Nat. Coordinator, Rabies Control Programme in Nigeria and Coordinator, National One Health Technical Working Group on Rabies.

.... Says "Nigeria had an estimated dog population of more than 30 million and needed to achieve at least 70 per cent vaccination coverage to significantly strengthen efforts to control the disease.

.... "Responsible dog ownership and mass vaccination remain critical to preventing rabies and reducing the economic burden associated with the disease."

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has disclosed that Nigeria recorded more than 100 cases of rabies between January and August 2026, with the disease reported in several parts of the country.

The National Coordinator, Rabies Control Programme in Nigeria and Coordinator, National One Health Technical Working Group on Rabies, Dr George Onyemaokwu, disclosed this on Friday during activities to mark the 2026 World Rabies Day.

The event, organised by the ministry and its partners, was held with the theme, “Stronger Together: Ending Rabies in Nigeria.”

Onyemaokwu said reports of rabies cases were received from between 18 and 20 states in some months, adding that parts of the North-Central and North-East were of particular concern.

He said Nigeria had an estimated dog population of more than 30 million and needed to achieve at least 70 per cent vaccination coverage to significantly strengthen efforts to control the disease.

According to him, responsible dog ownership and mass vaccination remain critical to preventing rabies and reducing the economic burden associated with the disease.

He explained that while dogs were not naturally carriers of the rabies virus, they could become infected when exposed to it.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and Director, Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Dr Samuel Akawu Anzaku, said rabies remained a major public health concern despite being preventable through vaccination.

Anzaku said Nigeria was participating in the global drive to eliminate rabies by 2030, stressing that activities marking World Rabies Day should translate into sustained interventions rather than remain a one-day awareness campaign.

He said the Federal Government and its partners would intensify mass dog vaccination across communities and Area Councils, while also organising a technical symposium and broader national mobilisation involving State Veterinary Services, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders.

The Chief Veterinary Officer also disclosed plans to introduce human pre-exposure prophylaxis for frontline workers regularly exposed to dogs, including veterinarians, para-veterinary professionals and hunters.

He called for the adoption of the One Health approach, noting that effective rabies control required coordinated action across the human health, livestock and environmental sectors.

Anzaku also urged relevant authorities to strengthen measures to tackle stray dogs, while advising Nigerians to take unusual changes in the behaviour of dogs seriously, particularly unprovoked aggression, excessive irritability and abnormal biting.

He urged dog owners to ensure that their animals were regularly vaccinated and advised anyone bitten or exposed to a suspected rabid animal to immediately report to the nearest health or veterinary facility for appropriate medical attention.

Also, the One Health Lead at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Nasir Ahmed, stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities and other stakeholders.

Ahmed said the NCDC continued to support public awareness and access to post-exposure prophylaxis for people exposed to rabies.

The FCT One Health Desk Officer, Dr Sharifat Fadugba, called for stronger community engagement, improved data on the dog population and increased vaccination coverage, particularly at the grassroots.

The Chairperson of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, FCT Chapter, Dr Chinnemeka Joe Irobe, who represented the National President, Dr Moses Arokoju, said the association had commenced mass dog vaccination across rural communities in the FCT.

The stakeholders urged Nigerians to practise responsible dog ownership, vaccinate their dogs and promptly report dog-bite incidents to health or veterinary facilities.

They stressed that sustained collaboration across the human, animal and environmental health sectors remained critical to achieving Nigeria’s target of eliminating rabies by 2030.