By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Delta state government has flagged-off 2021 anti-rabies awareness and immunization campaign in Asaba.
Addressing participants at the occasion, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Julius Egbedi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Ben Agamah, noted that the campaign is an annual event intended to draw the awareness of the general public to the public health implication of rabies, adding that prevention of rabies through immunization of healthy dogs and cats is the most effective means of preventing and controlling the disease.
He emphasized on the need to always vaccinate dogs and cats every year as there was no permanent immunity against rabies, adding that the vaccination had been free since the assumption of office by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2015.
He advised that all cases of dog bite should be taken seriously and must be reported immediately to the nearest veterinary clinic and medical centre for proper treatment and investigation
In his own remarks while speaking with journalists, Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Diai Charles Oselukwue revealed that over 5,000 dogs were immunized against rabies in the state in the last one year.
He attributed the success to effective publicity as more people were becoming aware of the importance of vaccination of their pets.
The Director also noted that because disease has no boundary and can easily spread, the awareness campaign was also carried out in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state so that the programme can get to the rural areas and the people in these remote areas can vaccinate their pets.
According to him, Delta state is one of the few states in the country that have continuously sustained the anti-rabies campaign because funds were made available.
He expressed the expectation of the veterinary to vaccinate over 5,000 dogs in the next one year
