The Benue State Government has officially confirmed the outbreak of rabies in Kwande and Gboko Local Government Areas. Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, the Director-General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, announced this development in Makurdi, the state capital. Dr. Asambe stated that the bureau was notified of suspected rabies cases after reports emerged of multiple individuals being bitten by dogs in Adikpo, Kwande, and Gboko. A total of seven people were bitten by two dogs, prompting the government to initiate contact tracing to identify and monitor those affected.
Investigations revealed that one of the infected dogs in Adikpo had been sold to vendors for processing and consumption. Fortunately, the dog’s head was recovered and sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau State, where tests confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.
Rabies is a severe zoonotic disease that poses significant risks to both human and animal health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55,000 people die from rabies annually, with the majority of cases stemming from dog bites. Dr. Asambe emphasized that this outbreak underscores the urgent need for action to achieve the WHO’s 2030 goal of eliminating rabies transmitted through dog bites.
He also confirmed that laboratory results indicated the dog bite incident in Gboko Local Government Area was also a confirmed case of rabies. The state government is now working to address the situation and prevent further spread of the disease.
