The Oyo State Government has called on all dog and pet owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The call was made by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, on Monday at the Rabies Sensitization/Awareness Programme, held at the State Veterinary Hospital, Mokola, Ibadan.
He described rabies as a serious public health threat, particularly in rural communities, noting that the disease remains underreported but devastating.
The commissioner, who spoke through the Director Veterinary Services, Dr. Mrs. Laide Azeez, reminded residents that the Oyo State Dog Law 2020 mandates annual vaccination of dogs and prohibits them from roaming freely, stressing that non-compliance attracts fines of ₦250,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
He added that the Ministry, through Veterinary Services in all 33 Local Government Areas, has intensified mass vaccination campaigns, promoted responsible pet ownership, and enhanced public awareness.
Barrister Olaleye reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to eradicating rabies and strengthening veterinary services across the state.
He said “Rabies is preventable if dog owners act responsibly. Collective action is required to create a rabies-free environment and protect our communities,”
Delivering a lecture titled “Rabies: What You Need to Know,” the Head of Animal Health Technology, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Dr. Ifeoluwapo Akanbi, explained that rabies is caused by Lyssavirus, spread through saliva and nervous tissue of infected animals.
She noted that rabies kills over 59,000 persons annually, mostly in Africa and Asia, and humans can contract it through bites, scratches, licks on broken skin, or, in rare cases, organ transplants. She urged immediate medical attention after suspected exposure and routine vaccination of pets.
Also speaking, the Surveillance Officer, State Ministry of Health, Mr. Hamed Adewole, said officers are available in all the 33LGAs of the State. He therefore enjoined residents to report suspected cases promptly.
In his remarks, Chairman Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Bolaji Olaomo, urged the participants to share the information widely, stressing that achieving a society free from zoonotic diseases requires collective responsibility.
