The State government has confirmed a rabies outbreak, with cats being particularly impacted, in Anambra State.
This development was confirmed by Tijjani Maksha, the Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture Development, during a press briefing in Yola, the sta tree’s capital on Thursday.
He, however, reassured the public that measures are underway to control the situation.
Rabies is a deadly viral illness that primarily affects dogs and cats, and it can be transmitted to humans through bites from infected animals.
While speaking on the outbreak, Maksha urged pet owners, especially those with cats and dogs, to ensure their animals are vaccinated at approved veterinary clinics to prevent the spread of the disease.
Maksha also disclosed that the Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development is awaiting approval from the governor to launch a statewide vaccination drive, which will target pets, with an emphasis on vaccinating cats.
Providing further insights on the situation, Dr. Mohammed Amin, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, provided additional insights into the situation.
Laboratory tests at the National Veterinary Laboratory in Vom, Plateau State, revealed that 9 out of 19 sampled cats tested positive for rabies, indicating an infection rate of nearly 50% among the feline population.
Daily Post reports that Dr. Bathilomeu Nyalas, the Director of Veterinary Services, confirmed that there have been three deaths linked to rabies in 2024.
It was further noted that to manage the outbreak, surveillance is being carried out throughout the state.
Veterinary personnel have been deployed to all 21 Local Government Areas to closely monitor the spread of rabies and ensure effective intervention.
