Enugu Govt flags-off 2018 free anti-rabies vaccination

The Enugu State Government has flagged off free Anti-Rabies Vaccination on dogs and cats in the state for the prevention of rabies on pets and human beings.

Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emeka Ede represented by Dr Mathias Onu, Director of Agriculture in Enugu said the disease could be prevented through vaccination.

“Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that affects both man and animal; it has no treatment but can be prevented through vaccination,” he said.

Ede said that it was in realisation of the danger associated with the disease that the state government with support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association embarked on the wide free anti-rabies vaccination.

He urged pet owners to use the campaign to vaccinate their pets and protect themselves against rabies.

Director, Veterinary Services Department, Dr Ike Agbo, said it was a yearly event in the state adding that the campaign would end on June 25 as 1,500 doses of vaccine would be dispensed at the exercise.

Agbo said that rabies was a fatal infectious disease which could not be treated but prevented.

He noted that the vaccine was difficult to get in rural areas hence the exercise.

The director urged every pet owner to bring his or her dog or cat for the free vaccination.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Kelvin Ugwu, called on Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to employ more veterinary practitioners in the state for effective and efficient service delivery.

Zonal Officer, Veterinary and Pest Control Services Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Dr Benjamin Puja, said that the Federal Government deemed it fit to supply vaccine so as to prevent the disease both in animals and man.

Puja commended the state government for flagging off the campaign aimed at ensuring a healthy society.

Mr Izunna Eze, a pet owner, who brought his dog for vaccination was a welcome development and commended the state government for the free vaccination.

He promised to inform others to bring their pets for such exercise.