Lagos State Government said it would vaccinate at least 1.5 million dogs in the next two weeks during its current free anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the state to prevent unwanted deaths. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya stated this at the flag-off of the vaccination campaign, with the theme: “Say No to Rabies in the 21st Century in Lagos State,” held at the palace of Oba Ayangburen of Ikorodu in the Ikorodu area of the state. Olusanya noted that as the pioneering state in the campaign exercise in the country, the vaccination exercise would take place for the next three years as it is imperative that vaccination campaign is held yearly for the next three years in order for it to be effective among the dogs.
She stated that a lot of the dogs in the State are not registered or licensed hence a lot of rabid dogs could be on the prowl, hence, the need for the vaccination exercise particularly since rabies was easily preventable through vaccination. The commissioner, therefore, urged pet owners as responsible citizens to bring their dogs and cats for the vaccination exercise stressing that the State Government as a responsive government has made the exercise free of charge for the citizenry. “Dogs, properly owned and kept provide us with great benefits of companionship, security, health and research among others.
“They, being the major source of transmitting the dreaded rabies disease when unvaccinated, it is therefore imperative as a responsible and responsive government under the able leadership of Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwolu to champion the global goal of eradicating the disease which is majorly curtailed through deliberate annual vaccination of our pets. Also read: Lagos smart city projects: Buhari, Okonjo Iweala, Adesina, call for economic infrastructure, youth devt “With an estimated 1.5 million dogs in the state, I hereby enjoin all individuals, corporate organizations, communities to collaborate towards more responsible dog ownership to curb the strain of animals in the environment,”
Olusanya noted. The commissioner added 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 Center, Epe 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 LASADA’s Office, Opposite DSTV Office, Oko Oba Agege. “We have seven Lagos State veterinary clinics and so many other private clinics out there. So it is critical that we take our pets to some of these centres to get them vaccinated as quickly as possible. “I urge you to ensure the registration and yearly vaccination of pets and other animals at the nearest government veterinary hospitals, clinics as well as government’s registered private animal health care centres at the clinic of their choice,” Olusanya explained.
Earlier, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Olaniran Alabi noted that an estimated 70,000 people globally die of rabies annually adding that less than five per cent of dogs are vaccinated in Nigeria due to the high cost of the vaccine. Alabi who was represented by Dr Mairo Kachalla added that the disease was transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or man with 99 per cent fatality if efficient post-exposure prophylaxis treatment is not instituted early. “Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease affecting all warm-blooded animals. Despite the high fatality, the disease is 100 per cent preventable through mass dog vaccination and enlightenment campaigns as dogs account for 99 per cent of human deaths resulting from rabies,” he said. Alabi added that the World Organisation for Animal (OIE) recommends that at least 70 per cent 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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