Essential Ndubuisi
By Chibuzo Obidike
Anambra State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has flagged off the 2021 Free Anti Rabies vaccination campaign.
The exercise is part of the target to eliminate human death through dog rabies by 2030.
The campaign will last for for five working days for dogs and cats in the State.
Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease affecting all warm-blooded animals that is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or man.
The infection has a 99% fatality rate if efficient post exposure treatment is not instituted early.
The free vaccination campaign which is a collaboration between the Anambra State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has the support of World Organization on Animal Health and World Health Organization.
The organizations recommends that at least 70% of dogs should be vaccinated annually for three consecutive years to be able to break the transmission cycle of rabies and consequently eliminate the disease.
In his welcome speach, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Nnamdi Onukwuba represented by the Director, Veterinary Services, Dr. Basil Ideh, described rabies as one of the deadliest viral infectious diseases on earth, which is prevalent in Africa and Asia and appreciated the contribution of the federal government in boosting the already established routine in the state.
Dr. Ideh while calling on the people of the state to avail themselves the opportunity to vaccinate their dogs and cats at no cost during the five days vaccination campaign period, appreciated the massive support by governor Willie Obiano to veterinary services.
In his keynote address, the Veterinary officer of the Federation, Dr. Olaniran Alabi represented by a staff in the ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Adole noted that despite the high fatality, the disease is 100% preventable through mass dog vaccination and enlightenment campaign as dogs account for 99% of human deaths resulting from rabies.
Some dog owners, Sir Charles Mbakiwe and Miss Oby Agbata who saw their dogs vaccinated appreciated both the federal and state government in their efforts in disease control especially against rabies which had received no attention and asked every dog or cat owner to bring out their dogs for vaccination.
