Nigeria steps up action to avoid rabies deaths through One Health method

AbujaNigeria is enhancing pet dog vaccination, monitoring and public awareness to avoid rabies deaths and advance efforts to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

The 2026 World Rabies Day ceremony on 28 September combined federal government organizations and partners under the style “Stronger Together”, with a require collaborated action throughout the human, animal and ecological health sectors.
Rabies is deadly as soon as medical signs appear, however it is avoidable. Immunizing pet dogs, avoiding bites and guaranteeing individuals get timely treatment after direct exposure can conserve lives.

Rabies awareness activities are assisting individuals comprehend the illness and how to avoid it.

Throughout a sensitization project, Daniel Mshelia, a security personnel who works around canines, discovered the dangers of rabies, the value of canine vaccination and the requirement to look for care instantly after an animal bite.

“Before then, I understood little about rabies or the risk a contaminated animal might posture. I found out that a pet bite might result in death if treatment is not looked for early,” he remembered.

His experience reveals the significance of making sure individuals understand how to avoid rabies and what to do after possible direct exposure.

Avoiding rabies at its source
At the World Rabies Day celebration in Abuja, the Federal Government declared its dedication to ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

“Protecting neighborhoods from rabies needs everybody to play a part. We need to quit working in silos and continue to inform households, motivate accountable animal ownership, and interact to minimize dangers in our neighborhoods,” stated Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

According to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, more than 100 animal rabies cases were taped in between January and August 2026 throughout 16 states.

Nigeria is reinforcing rabies avoidance through a One Health method that unites the human, animal and ecological health sectors, as the nation works towards the worldwide objective of ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development leads animal security, pet dog vaccination and veterinary services. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare supports monitoring of human direct exposures and access to care, while the Federal Ministry of Environment supports public awareness and more secure interaction in between individuals and animals.

Mrs Dorcas Mernyi, Assistant Director, Rabies Programme Manager and One Health Desk Officer at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, required timely care following direct exposure.

“No one must pass away from rabies just due to the fact that they did not understand what to do after a pet dog bite or might not access treatment. We should make sure health employees identify possible direct exposure instantly which clients get proper care without hold-up.

Enhancing monitoring and action
In November 2025, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, with assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other One Health partners, assembled a nationwide workshop to examine, test and confirm the Rabies Rapid Response Toolkit.

The toolkit guides monitoring, examination and action to presumed rabies occasions. It assists groups recognize individuals who might have been exposed, enhance reporting and coordinate action in between public health and veterinary services.

WHO likewise supports government-led rabies examinations through technical assistance on security, threat evaluation and action coordination.

Dr Alexander Chimbaru, WHO Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster Lead in Nigeria, stated avoiding deaths needs action throughout the year.

“Ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies needs continual partnership in between federal government, health and veterinary specialists, neighborhoods and canine owners. Every pet dog immunized, every direct exposure reported early and everyone who gets prompt care takes us closer to the 2030 objective.”

Performing rapidly can conserve lives
The NCDC one health toolkit recommends that anybody bitten or scratched by an animal believed of having rabies must instantly clean the injury completely with soap and running water for a minimum of 15 minutes and look for healthcare without hold-up. Depending upon the direct exposure, PEP might consist of rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies. Individuals ought to not await signs before looking for care.

Avoiding infection in pets is similarly crucial. WHO advises continual vaccination protection of a minimum of 70% of canines in at-risk locations to disrupt transmission.

WHO will continue to support the Government of Nigeria and partners to reinforce rabies avoidance, monitoring and action towards ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.