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The Enugu State Government has confirmed an outbreak of dog rabies in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of the state.
Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, revealed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system of humans and animals. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is completely preventable if treated early.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 59,000 people die from rabies every year worldwide.
The commissioner urged dog owners across the state to vaccinate their pets without delay, confine their animals, and prevent them from roaming freely.
“Residents are urged to avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar animals, while animals showing symptoms such as aggression, excessive salivation, abnormal behaviour, or paralysis should be reported immediately to veterinary authorities,” he said.
“Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should wash the wound thoroughly with soap under running water for at least 10 minutes and seek urgent medical attention.”
He assured Enugu residents that the state’s agriculture and agro-Industrialisation ministry is collaborating with relevant authorities to contain the outbreak and safeguard public health.
Ubru further urged residents to contact the State Veterinary Services Department for further information or to report suspected cases.
