ABIA GOVERNMENT REPORTS THREE DEATHS FROM RABIES OUTBREAK

Abia State government says it has contained rabies epidemic in parts of Ukwa and Isiala Ngwa local government areas of the state.

The Chief Veterinary Officer and Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Nwokedi Ọnụ made the revelation in an interview with Dream News in his office on Tuesday.

“We had one or two issues with rabies somewhere at Ukwa and Isiala Ngwa. It was a hundred percent mortality case. About three people died.”

Ọnụ said the disease out break resulted in the death of three persons adding that plans are underway for a state-wide anti-rabies vaccination and awareness campaign.

“We’ll still be doing something, to see if we can carry out anti rabies vaccination within the state or to create an awareness or advocacy on radio for people to know that rabies is still here and that people should be vaccinating their dogs.”

He blamed the rabies outbreak on the ignorance of rural dwellers who do not see the importance of vaccinating their local dog breeds which he said are mostly used for hunting and security, and therefore called on the Public to ensure their dogs are vaccinated.

“Most especially, this happens the rural areas where most people use their dogs for hunting so to create an awareness when there an intruder.”