Benue confirms rabies outbreak in Kwande, Gboko LGAs

The Benue State government has confirmed a rabies outbreak in Kwande and Gboko Local Government Areas. Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, the Director-General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, made the announcement in Makurdi on Monday.

Asambe explained that the bureau received reports of rabies suspicion following a dog bite incident in Adikpo, Kwande, and Gboko LGAs, where two dogs bit seven people. The government has initiated contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

Investigations revealed that one of the infected dogs in Adikpo had been sold to vendors for consumption. The dog’s head was subsequently retrieved and sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau, where laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that poses significant risks to both humans and animals. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 55,000 people die from rabies each year, with dog bites being the primary source of transmission.

Asambe emphasized the need for urgent action to meet the WHO’s 2030 target for eliminating rabies transmitted by dogs. He also confirmed that the dog bite incident in Gboko LGA was related to rabies.

In response, the Benue Bureau of Livestock, in collaboration with the One Health Development Initiative (OHDI) and other stakeholders, has implemented measures to contain the outbreak. These include tracing and providing immediate medical care for exposed individuals, launching community sensitization campaigns on rabies prevention, and conducting a ring vaccination program for dogs in Adikpo. A mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign is also being rolled out across Kwande and Gboko.

Asambe pointed out the critical role of dogs in rural communities as companions, security providers, and contributors to livelihoods, which makes these interventions essential. The bureau is also working on developing a subnational rabies eradication plan aimed at achieving a rabies-free Benue State by 2030.

He urged pet owners to ensure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and called on residents to report any suspected cases of rabies to local authorities. Anyone bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal should seek immediate medical attention.

Asambe also thanked the OHDI and other partners for their support in the fight to eradicate rabies in the state and beyond.