The chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Mark Ofua, has used the occasion of this year’s World Rabies Day to call for action in tackling rabies which he described as deadly but is 100 percent preventable.
Dr Ofua noted that through measures such as mass vaccination, public awareness campaigns, collaboration across sectors and reaching rural areas, the scourge of rabies can be put in check.
He said, “As we mark World Rabies Day 2024 today, the global theme, “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” calls us to action in tackling one of the most preventable, yet deadly, diseases that continues to claim lives in Nigeria and beyond.”
He explained that rabies, a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, particularly dogs, has remained a major public health concern, especially in rural areas. The NVMA chairman said that “the tragedy of rabies is that it is 100% preventable through vaccination, yet we lose thousands of lives globally each year.
“In Nigeria, the burden of rabies is significant, with many cases going unreported. Rabies is classified as a Neglected Trooical Disease as it occurs mainly in rural communities that interface more with nature and thus wildlife, it is often misdiagnosed and thus not reported.
“This year’s theme resonates deeply with the challenges we face in controlling rabies in our communities. Breaking rabies boundaries means confronting the various barriers that have hindered our progress toward eliminating this disease—barriers such as lack of awareness, limited access to vaccines, cultural misconceptions, stigmatisation and inadequate veterinary and healthcare services.”
The chairman of NVMA, highlighted steps “we are taking to push beyond these boundaries, protecting both human and animal populations in Lagos State.”
First is mass vaccination campaigns. He said, “Vaccination is the most effective tool in preventing rabies. The NVMA Lagos Chapter, in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and the Director of Veterinary Services of same ministry, local governments and international partners, Dog breeders association, traditional and community leaders is intensifying its mass vaccination drives across the state. By ensuring that domestic animals, particularly dogs, are vaccinated, we reduce the risk of transmission to humans. Our target is to achieve an almost 100% vaccination coverage in Lagos by 2025, a critical step in breaking the transmission cycle. The Redisse project in which we recently collaborated has brought us very close to this target.”
Secondly, public awareness and education is necessary. He noted that “a key aspect of breaking rabies boundaries is raising public awareness about the dangers of rabies and the importance of vaccination. Many individuals still do not understand the severity of the disease, or the urgency of seeking medical attention after an animal bite. Through media campaigns, community outreach, and educational programs in schools, we aim to demystify rabies and ensure that everyone knows the steps to protect themselves and their families.”
Dr Ofua added that collaboration across sectors is also needed. “Rabies prevention is not the responsibility of the veterinary sector alone—it requires a One Health approach, involving collaboration between veterinary professionals, public health authorities, local governments, and communities. We have strengthened our partnerships with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and international organizations to improve rabies surveillance, reporting, and response systems.”
Dr Ofua further noted that many rabies cases in Nigeria occur in rural and underserved areas where access to healthcare and veterinary services is limited. “Our goal is to break the geographic and socio-economic boundaries that prevent people from receiving life-saving rabies vaccinations. The NVMA is working on outreach programs that extend vaccination and treatment services to remote areas, ensuring that no one is left behind in our fight against rabies.”
Lastly, the Lagos NVMA chairman noted that pet owners play a crucial role in rabies prevention. “By ensuring that their pets are vaccinated by qualified health professionals and properly cared for, they help protect their households and neighborhoods from potential rabies exposure. We continue to urge pet owners to keep up with regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations, as well as to promptly report any cases of suspected rabies to the authorities.”
He concluded by saying that “as we commemorate World Rabies Day 2024,I want to emphasize that rabies is a shared problem, and its elimination requires collective action. It is time to break the boundaries of ignorance, fear, and inaction that allow rabies to persist. We can achieve a rabies-free Lagos State and Nigeria, but only if we all take responsibility—by vaccinating our pets, spreading awareness, and working together to strengthen our veterinary and healthcare systems.”
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