The Oyo State Government has intensified mass vaccination campaigns and enhanced public awareness by calling on all dog and pet owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies so as to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
While promoting responsible pet ownership, the state government described rabies as a serious public health threat, particularly in rural communities, noting that the disease remains underreported but devastating.
Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, speaking at a rabies sensitization/awareness programme at the State Veterinary Hospital, Mokola, Ibadan noted that the Ministry, through veterinary services in the 33 Local Government Areas, has intensified mass vaccination campaigns and reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to eradicating rabies and strengthening veterinary services across the state.
The commissioner, who spoke through Laide Azeez, director, veterinary services, reminded residents that the Oyo State Dog Law 2020 mandates annual vaccination of dogs and prohibits them from roaming freely, stressing that non-compliance attracts a fine of ₦250,000 and imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
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“Rabies is preventable if dog owners act responsibly. Collective action is required to create a rabies-free environment and protect our communities,” Azeez said.
Delivering a lecture titled “Rabies: What You Need to Know,” Ifeoluwapo Akanbi, head, Animal Health Technology, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, explained that rabies is caused by Lyssavirus, spread through saliva and nervous tissue of infected animals.
She noted that rabies kills over 59,000 persons annually, mostly in Africa and Asia, and humans can contract it through bites, scratches, licks on broken skin, or, in rare cases, organ transplants. She urged immediate medical attention after suspected exposure and routine vaccination of pets.
Also speaking, Hamed Adewole, surveillance officer, State Ministry of Health, said that officers are available in all the 33LGAs of the state. He therefore enjoined residents to report suspected cases promptly.
In his remarks, Bolaji Olaomo, chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Oyo State Chapter, urged the participants to share the information widely, stressing that achieving a society free from zoonotic diseases requires collective responsibility.
