Dog Vaccination most effective against rabies- Veterinarian

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan 

A Veterinarian, Dr Mutiu Oladele-Bukola, has said that dog vaccination remains the single most effective way to control rabies in Oyo State.

Oladele-Bukola, from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Moor Plantation, Ibadan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

The veterinary doctor spoke on Monday in commemoration of World Zoonoses Day, observed annually on July 6.

According to him, zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animal to man and vice versa adding that rabies (dogs and cats) remains the most important zoonotic disease associated with pets in Oyo state.

He explained that most human exposures occurred through dog bites, but vaccination coverage among dogs is below the level required for disease elimination in many communities.

“More than 95 per cent of human rabies cases originate from bites by infected dogs, so vaccinating dogs interrupts transmission at its source,” Oladele-Bukola stated.

He noted that the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had strengthened rabies control through annual vaccination, enforcement of regulations, and public awareness across LGAs.

He added that the World Organisation for Animal Health and WHO recommend vaccinating at least 70 per cent of dogs to interrupt transmission.

The veterinarian said earlier studies in Oyo found dog vaccination coverage ranging from 33 per cent to 57 per cent, which falls below the recommended target.

He explained that while these levels of vaccination help reduce the risk of rabies transmission, they are generally insufficient to eliminate the disease.

He added that many dogs also lacked adequate protective antibody levels, showing the need for quality-assured vaccines, proper cold chain, and annual revaccination.

On the impact, he explained that vaccination coverage below 50 per cent reduces the number of cases but is insufficient to stop the continued circulation of rabies.

“Fifty to 69 per cent significantly lowers transmission but outbreaks can still occur, while 70 per cent can interrupt dog-to-dog transmission and greatly reduce human cases if sustained annually,” he said.

Beyond rabies, Oladele-Bukola listed other major zoonoses in Oyo state to include Avian influenza in poultry, Brucellosis in cattle, sheep, goats, and Bovine tuberculosis in cattle.

He said farmers, abattoir workers and veterinarians faced a higher occupational risk of infection through contact with infected animal tissues or the consumption of unpasteurised milk.

“Bovine tuberculosis is frequently detected during meat inspection in Nigerian abattoirs and poses risk for butchers and consumers of poorly cooked meat.

“Leptospirosis is found in cattle, pigs, dogs and rodents, with human infection occurring through contact with urine-contaminated water.

“Salmonellosis and pathogenic E. coli are common in poultry and livestock; they cause foodborne illness through contaminated eggs, meat, poor hygiene and are important because of increasing antimicrobial resistance,” Oladele-Bukola said.

Speaking on bushmeat, he said handling wildlife remains an important route for the emergence of zoonotic diseases in West Africa, including Nigeria.

He added that the highest-risk activities include hunting and butchering wild animals, handling sick or dead wildlife, and consuming raw or undercooked bushmeat.

According to him, diseases linked to bushmeat include Rabies, Lassa fever, Monkeypox, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, and rarely Ebola from bats or primates.

“In Oyo, the greatest routine risks come from rodents, bats, and bushmeat sold in local markets if handled without hygiene,” he said.

To reduce risk, Oladele-Bukola advised avoiding sick wildlife, wearing gloves when butchering, washing hands after handling raw meat, and cooking bushmeat thoroughly.

He also urged people to keep dogs vaccinated to reduce spillover from wildlife and to report unusual wildlife deaths to authorities.

During outbreaks of anthrax, lassa, avian influenza, or rabies, Oladele-Bukola said farmers should report suspected cases immediately for rapid investigation.

He advised isolating sick animals, not moving them to markets, and not slaughtering or consuming sick animals.

“Do not open carcasses of animals that die suddenly, especially if anthrax is suspected; opening exposes spores that can contaminate the environment for decades,” he warned.

He emphasised that carcasses should be disposed safely under veterinary supervision through deep burial or incineration.

He further recommended using PPE, strict farm biosecurity, good hand hygiene, vaccination where available, and avoiding unpasteurised milk during outbreaks.

Oladele-Bukola stressed the need to monitor animals daily, keep records, educate workers, judicious antibiotic use, rodent control, and surveillance for resistant bacteria.

“The day reminds us that many human infectious diseases originate from animals; about 60 per cent of known human diseases and 75 per cent of emerging ones come from animals.

“Healthy animals mean healthy people. Preventing diseases in animals is one of the most effective ways to protect human health,” he said.

He urged animal owners to vaccinate pets and livestock, maintain clean housing, avoid contact with sick animals, and seek veterinary or medical attention promptly.

“Preventing zoonotic diseases is a shared responsibility. Through one health, vaccination, biosecurity, and awareness, we can build healthier, safer communities,” Oladele-Bukola said. (NAN)