The Federal Capital Territory Administration has confirmed a rabies outbreak in Abuja after two people died from bites by rabid dogs, prompting authorities to urge residents to vaccinate their dogs and cats and avoid contact with stray animals.
The Director of Veterinary Services in the FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Dr Karnak Dandam, said on Wednesday that the victims died in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils.
According to him, eight confirmed rabies cases were recorded in the FCT—five in Gwagwalada and three in Kwali—with samples testing positive at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State.
He said the cases were recorded between March and June, adding that laboratory results confirmed the outbreak.
Dandam described rabies as a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted through the bite of an infected dog or cat.
He said early symptoms in humans include fever, headache, fatigue and pain or tingling at the bite site, while advanced symptoms may include anxiety, confusion and hallucinations.
He warned that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop and advised anyone bitten by a dog or cat to immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and plenty of water before seeking urgent medical treatment.
The veterinary director said the FCTA had already intensified public awareness campaigns and urged residents to confine vaccinated dogs and cats to prevent them from roaming and spreading the virus.
He added that although vaccination campaigns were carried out in December 2025 and January 2026, vaccine shortages prevented all pets from being covered.
According to Dandam, the administration is procuring additional vaccine doses and will soon begin a mass vaccination campaign across all six area councils, targeting every dog and cat in the FCT.
He also advised pet owners to watch for sudden behavioural changes in their animals, including aggression, isolation, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing and paralysis, which may indicate rabies infection.
Comments
Add a comment