As the world commemorates World Rabies Day, Nigerians have been strongly advised to stop consuming dog meat from unverified sources due to the risk of rabies infection.

The warning was issued by Chukwunazom Cyra Obi, President of the Good Development and Accountability Advocacy (GDAA), who described rabies as a silent but deadly disease that continues to pose a serious public health threat in Nigeria.

Obi explained that rabies has claimed countless lives globally and remains a major challenge in Nigeria due to poor awareness, low vaccination coverage, and weak response systems.

He stressed that dog vaccination remains the most cost-effective solution to controlling the spread of the disease and urged the government to prioritize nationwide immunization.

“The Nigerian government must make annual budgetary provisions for vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population in both rural and urban areas. Veterinary services should also ensure vaccine availability, proper cold-chain preservation, and mobile outreach in hard-to-reach communities,” Obi said.

The dog management expert also called for large-scale sensitization campaigns on rabies prevention, wound washing, and post-exposure treatment, suggesting that such awareness drives be carried out in local languages across radio, television, and community channels.

He further advised that primary health centres be fully equipped to provide affordable and timely rabies vaccines, with health workers strictly adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols while counseling victims of dog bites.

On the issue of Nigeria’s growing stray dog population, Obi recommended humane but firm control measures. These, he said, should include capturing, vaccinating, spaying or neutering, and enforcing dog registration and owner responsibility laws to reduce uncontrolled breeding and minimize attacks.

Obi concluded by emphasizing that rabies is preventable, but only through coordinated national action, public education, and responsible pet ownership.