The Nasarawa State Government has mandated that residents of the state vaccinate their dogs to guard against rabies and prevent the spread of the disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, made the call at a news conference on Friday in Lafia to commemorate the World Rabies Day.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans.
It is transmitted through animal bites, licks from infected animals and contact with infected animal saliva or tissue.
The ministry, which commemorated the day in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, also marked World Heart Day, World Mental Health Day, and International Day of the Girl-Child.
The commissioner, therefore, urged dog owners who have not vaccinated their pets to do so immediately by visiting the veterinary in the state.
Gwamna said “Research shows that majority of rabies cases result from dog bites, making it essential to keep dogs confined and to vaccinate them regularly.
“The best way to prevent rabies in humans is by vaccinating dogs and cats at least once a year.
“Human rabies deaths are 100 per cent preventable with prompt vaccination of dogs.”
He further said that 289 dog bite cases were recorded in Nasararawa State from 2023-2024, out of which, 12 of the dogs were discovered to have rabies.
“Five of the cases were in Nasarawa, three in Karu, two in Lafia, and one in Awe local government areas, respectively,” he added.
The commissioner also called on residents to take care of their hearts to guard against sudden death.
He explained that heart-related illnesses were responsible for many deaths in recent times.
The commissioner said that the media had reported many cases of deaths of prominent Nigerians recently, who either collapsed and died or slept and could not wake up.
“It is important to jealously guide and take care of our heart to prevent avoidable deaths,” he added.
He also advised people to take care of their mental health and urged relations to show love and care to friends and family members going through frustration and depression to prevent escalation.
NAN
