Blueblood Veterinary Services has recommended stronger integrated surveillance linking veterinary and human health systems to prevent and eradicate rabies and its avoidable human deaths in Nigeria.
The Director of Blueblood Vet Ltd, Dr Bala Muhammed, made the recommendation in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Monday to mark World Rabies Day.
World Rabies Day is observed annually on 28 September. The 2026 theme is “Stronger Together”.
Muhammed said the day should be marked with a renewed commitment to preventing every avoidable rabies death, rather than merely as a day of remembrance.
He advised that every dog bite should be reported, investigated and used as an opportunity to prevent further transmission.
The director emphasised that sustained mass vaccination of dogs must remain central to rabies control in order to break transmission at its source and protect entire communities.
Nigeria, he said, must move from responding to outbreaks to preventing them.
He described rabies as one of the world’s most tragic public-health paradoxes, almost 100 per cent fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Post-exposure prophylaxis must therefore be available and accessible.
“Anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water and seek urgent medical care.
“No Nigerian should die because lifesaving treatment is unavailable, unaffordable or delayed.
“The global zero by 30 goal to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 is ambitious, but achievable with sustained political commitment and community action.
“Responsible dog ownership, vaccination, avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals and promptly reporting bites can save lives.
“Schools, traditional institutions, religious organisations and the media can help make this knowledge widespread,” he said.
Speaking on the year’s theme, Muhammed stressed the need for dogs to be vaccinated, while people — particularly children — should be protected, bites treated, cases reported and surveillance strengthened.
“This is because rabies may be fatal after symptoms appear, but rabies deaths are preventable. That is the true meaning of ‘Stronger Together’,” he said.
The director, who described the theme as particularly relevant to Nigeria, emphasised that rabies does not respect the boundaries between human health, animal health and communities.
Its prevention requires veterinarians, medical doctors, government agencies, dog owners, community leaders, schools, the media and international partners to work together.
“This is the essence of the ‘One Health’ approach,” he added.
He noted that recent rabies outbreaks in Nigeria demonstrated the urgency.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), authorities confirmed eight rabies cases and two deaths in the Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils in 2026.
“In Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, 25 rabies cases and 12 deaths were reported in 2025, including three members of a family. These are not mere statistics. Behind every number is a person, a family and a community.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that rabies causes about 59,000 deaths globally each year, with dogs responsible for approximately 99 per cent of human rabies infections.
“WHO has also cited an estimated 10,000 annual rabies deaths in Nigeria, while acknowledging that inadequate surveillance means the true burden may be higher.
“On World Rabies Day, let us remember those we have lost, but let remembrance become action,” Muhammed said.
He urged the media to move the conversation beyond reporting deaths.
When a rabies case occurs, he said, the media should ask: Was the dog vaccinated? Was post-exposure treatment available? How many other bites occurred? Was the animal tested? What is being done to prevent another case?
