The Director General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe has confirmed a rabies outbreak after multiple individuals are bitten by a dog in Adikpo, Kwande LGA, and Gboko.
Dr. Asambe said this on Monday at a conference in Makurdi, the state capital, stating that the dog involved had been sold for consumption before tests confirmed it carried the rabies virus.
“This outbreak was first noticed after reports of dog bites in Adikpo. The dog’s head was sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), where lab results confirmed rabies,” Asambe says.
The Bureau, in partnership with the One Health Development Initiative (OHDI), is implementing immediate measures, including identifying those exposed to the rabies virus. A mass vaccination campaign, focusing on Kwande and Gboko LGAs, will start on Tuesday, with the goal of containing the spread.
“We are committed to achieving a rabies-free Benue State by 2030,” Asambe adds. “Pet owners must vaccinate their animals. The collaboration between stakeholders will strengthen our long-term prevention efforts.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia expresses full support for the Bureau’s efforts, emphasising the importance of addressing public health challenges.
The Bureau urges residents to report any suspected cases and seek medical attention if bitten.
Rabies remains a global health threat, responsible for over 55,000 deaths each year, primarily from dog bites, according to the World Health Organisation
