Fear of a rabies outbreak has gripped parts of Adamawa State following a disturbing spike in dog bites across several communities.
Consequently, health officials have raised an alarm of serious public health concerns.
Director of Veterinary Services and Epidemiologist at the State Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture, Dr Bartholomew Nyalas, confirmed the death of three people last year from rabies-related cases.
He stressed that the state is currently battling sporadic and aggressive canine attacks.
“The current trend is worrisome. We’ve recorded multiple unprovoked bites in Lainde, Kofare, Yolde Pate, and Haying Gada communities,” Dr Nyalas disclosed.
“But I can assure the public that we are on top of it and are handling the situation with the utmost seriousness.”
The state’s Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture, Tijjani Maksha, also confirmed an outbreak of rabies last week, emphasising that cats are particularly affected.
Nyalas stated that the attacks bear all the hallmarks of rabies infections.
“There are suspected rabies bites, but confirmation requires medical examination of either the dog or the bitten person. However, our concern is validated by recent findings,” he said.
He also revealed that during a national monkeypox surveillance campaign, a team from the federal health authorities captured 19 stray cats in the city centre.
According to him, laboratory tests showed that nine of them were carrying the rabies virus.
“That’s nearly 50 per cent testing positive. It shows we have a rabies reservoir within our neighbourhoods. And you can’t tell which cat or dog will bite a human and who the human would be. It’s a complex and dangerous web,” he said.
To prevent further spread of the disease, the state government has begun implementing a series of control measures, with one dog quarantined at Bannex Veterinary Hospital.
Also, public sensitisation campaigns have been launched, including distributing flyers, radio jingles, and town-wide announcements urging pet owners to restrain their animals.
“We have advised that all dogs be chained or caged. The Ministry of Environment is tasked with managing stray dogs. Still, it’s a tough task—chasing and capturing strays without an executive order to neutralise them is nearly impossible,” he said.
Nyalas said a deadline would soon be issued for dog owners to comply with safety measures. “If they fail to restrain their dogs within the given timeline, we may be forced to take firmer actions.”
While no one has been admitted to hospitals yet this year, he noted that individuals bitten by dogs have been directed to seek immediate post-exposure treatment and vaccination.
The ministry is also gearing up for a mass vaccination campaign targeting all domestic dogs and cats across the state.
“Vaccinating the animals is our best bet in cutting off the transmission chain. That’s our next big step.
“The public is advised to avoid stray animals, report bites immediately, and follow state-issued guidelines as authorities intensify efforts to curb what could potentially escalate into a widespread health crisis,” he declared.
