The Enugu State Government has confirmed an outbreak of dog rabies in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of the state, warning residents of the high fatality rate associated with the viral disease.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, disclosed this in a public notice issued on Tuesday, urging the public to exercise extreme caution.
According to the commissioner, rabies is a highly fatal viral disease that affects both animals and humans, primarily transmitted through the bite or saliva of infected animals, especially dogs.
The state government warned that once clinical signs of the virus appear in a human or animal, the disease is almost always fatal. Consequently, the ministry has rolled out a series of containment measures to prevent further spread.
The government advised that all dog owners and pet keepers should vaccinate their animals against rabies without delay. Pet owners have been directed to confine their animals and prevent them from roaming freely in public spaces.
Members of the public are also cautioned to avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar animals within the local government area.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation further provided a medical protocol for individuals who may come into contact with suspected rabid animals. “Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap under running water for at least 10 minutes and seek urgent medical care at the nearest health facility,” the statement read.
Residents were also urged to report animals showing signs of aggression, excessive salivation, abnormal behaviour, or paralysis to the nearest veterinary authority within their local government. Ubru assured the public that the state’s Veterinary Services Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders to contain the outbreak and protect public health.
The administration also called on community leaders to sensitise residents to the dangers of the virus, noting that community awareness remains a critical tool in preventing human casualties. The ministry stated that further information or reports of suspected cases should be directed to the State Veterinary Services Department in Enugu.
