Lagos state commissioner for agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya disclosed that no fewer than 1.5 million dogs will be vaccinated within the next two weeks, during the free anti-rabies vaccination campaign, which was embarked upon to prevent deaths of animals in the state.
She stated this during the flag-off of the vaccination campaign held at the palace of Oba Ayangburen of Ikorodu, that the vaccination would take place yearly for the next three years to be effective on dogs.
Olusanya observed that a lot of the dogs in the state are not registered or lincensed hence a lot of rabid dogs could be on the prowl, stressing the need for for vaccination to prevent rabies.
She urged pet owners as responsible citizens to bring their dogs and cats for the exercise, noting that the state Government has made the exercise free of charge for the citizenry.
The commissioner informed that the exercise would take place in the five divisions of the State including Veterinary clinic, beside LASPOTECH Second Gate, opposite Access bank, Odogunyan, Ikorodu; Veterinary centre, Electric local government compound, orita marun epe; Veterinary clinic, opposite Bethel church, beside Alesh hotel Ajah and the Veterinary clinic by Randle general hospital, Benson street, Surulere.
Others are the Veterinary clinic at Aiyedoto farms settlement, Agric road, Ojo; Veterinary clinic on beach road, opposite general hospital, Badagry and the animal hospital on old Abeokuta motor road, beside LSADA's office, opposite DSTV office, Oko-oba Agege.
Concerning the registration and yearly vaccination of pets and other animals, she said the enrollment could be done at government veterinary hospitals, clinics and government registered private animals health care centres.
Furthermore, The chief veterinary officer of Nigeria, Dr. Olaniran Alabi, who was represented by Dr. Mario Kachalla noted that an estimated 70,000 people globally die of rabies every year, adding that less than five percent of dogs are vaccinated in Nigeria due to high cost of the vaccines.
He revealed that the disease can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or man, with 99% fatality if efficient post-exposure prophylaxis treatment is not instituted early.
Dr. Kachalla said that the World Organisation for animal health (OIE) recommends that at least 70% of dogs should be vaccinated annually for three consecutive years in order to break the transmission cycle of rabies and, consequently, eliminate the disease.
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