The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) says it will vaccinate at least 100,000 dogs to commemorate this year’s World Rabies Day (WRD).
Dr .Gloria Daminabo, spokesperson of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that the mass vaccination would hold alongside public enlightenment to assist in rabies reduction.
She said the WRD allowed the association to fulfil its mission by raising awareness on rabies, its effects and how it could be prevented.
“Ninety-five per cent of dogs in Nigeria are not vaccinated against rabies and they pose public health risk.
“In view of this, NVMA is carrying out public enlightenment that will include mass dog vaccination in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to mark the 2021, WRD,’’ she said.
According to Daminabo, the association will continue to play its advocacy and professional role in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to raise awareness on rabies, its effects and prevention.
NAN reports that WRD is commemorated annually on Sept. 28 as an international awareness campaign coordinated by Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Daminabo identified rabies as a viral disease that could be transmitted from animal to animal and to humans through bites and contacts with open wounds and infected saliva.
She decried the fact that at least 70,000 persons died of rabies globally every year as a result of transmission from infected animals, especially dogs and cats.
The theme for the 2021 WRD is: “Rabies: Facts, not Fear’’.
Speaking on the theme, Daminabo said: “While it is a fact that rabies is fatal, has no cure and is easily transmissible, it is also 100 per cent preventable.’’
Daminabo said rabies is preventable through mass dog vaccination, public enlightenment and control of stray dogs.
(NAN)