Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on all dog owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies as part of an aggressive campaign to eliminate the disease from the state. Speaking on Sunday at the launch of the “Zero Rabies in Enugu Campaign Initiative” at the State Veterinary Clinic in Enugu, the governor, represented by Dr. Patrick Ubru, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, highlighted the urgency of tackling rabies, describing it as one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting both humans and animals.
Governor Mbah assured the public that the government would provide all necessary resources to support the campaign. He emphasized that the success of the initiative would require the collective effort of individuals, families, and communities. Stressing the importance of widespread awareness, he appealed to community and religious leaders, organizations, and health educators to join hands in spreading the message about the dangers of rabies and the critical role of vaccination in preventing its spread.
Describing the campaign as more than just an initiative, Mbah stated, “The Zero Rabies Campaign in Enugu State is a call to action for every stakeholder in our state and society. By launching this campaign, the Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), is taking a significant step toward ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our people and animals.”
The governor said the campaign is in line with the global goal of eliminating human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies by 2030, commending the collaborative approach between government agencies, veterinary professionals, community leaders, and international partners. He noted that this united effort underscores the importance of addressing public health challenges collectively.
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Dr. Chidiebere Iloh, Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the NVMA, also spoke at the event, reinforcing the global importance of rabies eradication. He revealed that over 99% of human rabies deaths result from dog bites, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
Iloh emphasized the readiness of veterinarians across the state to provide mass dog vaccination services, both within Enugu metropolis and rural communities. He highlighted the adoption of the “One Health Approach,” which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, as a foundation for sustainable rabies prevention and control.
“The collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization and the NVMA reflects a unified commitment to protecting human and animal health in our state,” Iloh said. However, he stressed that technical expertise alone would not guarantee the campaign’s success. “The active involvement of community leaders, pet owners, and all citizens of the state is essential to achieving the goals of this campaign,” he added.
