Rabies kills four people in Gombe

Not fewer than four people died and many sustained injuries as a result of the outbreak of rabies in Dukku local government area of Gombe State in the last two years.

Chairman of the local government Honourable Jamilu Ahmed Shabewa disclosed this Wednesday during the flag off of the nationwide mass anti- rabies vaccination organized by the federal ministry of agriculture in collaboration with development partners including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Breakthrough Action Nigeria, World Health Organization (WHO) and Animal Health Centre of ECOWAS among others.

He said the victims were bitten by dogs in the area saying those who have dogs like hunters and lovers of dogs as pets should vaccinate them so that they would not contract the disease and infect the people.

While thanking the organizers for choosing the local government for the flag off of the vaccination, the chairman appealed to the minister of agriculture and partners for collective efforts to eradicate the deadly infectious disease in the area.

“Before I set the ball rolling, may I intimate you that choosing Dukku local government for 2022 flag off of mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign was done at the right time because for the past two years, our local government had recorded high incidences of rabies cases which claimed four lives and many people with degree of injuries from dog bites.

“Therefore, this campaign which is to raise awareness among various stakeholders could go a long way in controlling the menace”. He said.