Abuja:Blueblood Veterinary Services has called for improved integrated surveillance that connects veterinary and human health systems to prevent and eradicate rabies and its avoidable human deaths in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Bala Muhammed, Director of Blueblood Vet Ltd., emphasized the importance of commemorating World Rabies Day with a renewed commitment to preventing every avoidable rabies death. He recommended that every dog bite be reported and investigated as a means to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Muhammed stressed the necessity of sustained mass vaccination of dogs to break the rabies transmission cycle and protect communities. He highlighted the need for Nigeria to shift its focus from merely responding to rabies outbreaks to actively preventing them.
He identified rabies as a tragic public-health paradox, being almost 100 percent fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Muhammed underscored the importance of making post-exposure prophylaxis available and accessible, stating that no Nigerian should die because lifesaving treatment is unavailable, unaffordable, or delayed. The global goal to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 is achievable with political commitment and community action, he added.
Muhammed also discussed the importance of responsible dog ownership, vaccination, and the prompt reporting of bites. He noted that schools, traditional institutions, religious organizations, and the media play crucial roles in spreading awareness about rabies prevention.
Emphasizing the relevance of the year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” Muhammed explained that rabies prevention requires collaboration among veterinarians, medical doctors, government agencies, dog owners, community leaders, schools, the media, and international partners. This approach embodies the “One Health” strategy, he said.
He pointed to a recent rabies outbreak in Nigeria, mentioning that authorities confirmed eight rabies cases and two deaths in the Federal Capital Territory’s Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils in 2026. In Plateau’s Bassa Local Government Area, 25 cases and 12 deaths were reported in 2025, including three members of a family.
Muhammed cited World Health Organisation estimates that rabies causes about 59,000 deaths globally each year, with dogs responsible for 99 percent of human infections. An estimated 10,000 annual rabies deaths occur in Nigeria, though inadequate surveillance may mean the true burden is higher.
On World Rabies Day, Muhammed urged remembrance to become action, encouraging the media to report beyond deaths and focus on prevention measures. He stressed the importance of inquiring about vaccination status, availability of post-exposure treatment, and actions taken to prevent further cases when a rabies incident occurs.