By Ahmad Saleem
The Kano State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has launched a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly viral disease across the state.
The campaign was flagged off at the Gwale Veterinary Clinic by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa AlAliyu.
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In his remarks, Dr. Aliyu expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for providing 2,000 doses of the vaccine, noting that the exercise was timely following reported cases of rabies in Plateau and Kano States.
He explained that rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans, and is primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals.
The commissioner commended dog owners for turning up in large numbers to vaccinate their animals and appealed to the Federal Government to increase the number of available doses, saying the current supply may not be sufficient to meet demand.
He assured that the Kano State Government would sustain the exercise and extend it to veterinary clinics across the 44 local government areas of the state.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Mairo Kachalla lauded Governor Yusuf for creating the Ministry of Livestock Development, the first of its kind in the state, describing it as a step toward improving both human and animal welfare.
She urged residents to cooperate with the government in fighting rabies, stressing that “the disease poses serious risks to human and animal health when an infected dog bites.”
Dr. Kachalla also called for continuous sensitization and public awareness to help residents understand the dangers of rabies and preventive measures.
Also speaking, Dr. Abubakar Sani Inuwa, an expert in public health and epidemiology, advised residents to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease and seek immediate medical attention after animal bites.
The Director of Administration and General Services at the Ministry, Yahya Sani Abbas, commended both the state and federal governments for their joint efforts in organizing the vaccination campaign.
He also thanked dog owners for their cooperation and encouraged others to bring their pets for vaccination.
One of the beneficiaries, Maimuna Abba Aminu, a dog owner with five dogs, appreciated the government for providing the free vaccines and pledged to mobilize other members of the Dogs Association to participate in the campaign.
The exercise, officials said, is part of a broader effort to immunize animals, particularly dogs, and raise public awareness on the prevention and control of rabies in Kano State.
