Benue Government Confirms Rabies Outbreak in 2 LGAs, 7 Infected
The Benue State Government has confirmed a rabies outbreak in the Kwande and Gboko Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, with seven people reported to have been bitten by infected dogs.
Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, Director General of the Benue Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, made the announcement on Monday in Makurdi. He explained that the bureau was alerted to the outbreak after reports of a dog bite incident involving multiple victims in the Adikpo area of Kwande LGA and Gboko.
According to Dr. Asambe, two dogs were involved, and contact tracing is currently underway to identify others who may have been exposed. Investigations revealed that one of the infected dogs in Adikpo had been sold to vendors for consumption. Thankfully, the dog’s head was recovered and sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, Plateau, where laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the rabies virus.
“Rabies is a deadly zoonotic disease that poses serious risks to both human and animal health,” Asambe said. “The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that rabies claims the lives of over 55,000 people annually, with most cases stemming from dog bites.”
Asambe also confirmed that the dog bite incident in Gboko LGA was linked to rabies. In response, the bureau has teamed up with the One Health Development Initiative (OHDI) and other partners to tackle the outbreak.
The steps being taken include tracing and treating exposed individuals, conducting community sensitization campaigns on rabies prevention, and initiating a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign across both Kwande and Gboko LGAs. The government is also implementing “ring vaccination” for dogs in Adikpo.
“The role of dogs in rural areas—whether as companions, security providers, or for hunting—makes this intervention crucial not just to address the immediate outbreak but to strengthen long-term prevention efforts,” Asambe said.
Looking ahead, he noted the bureau’s commitment to creating a subnational rabies eradication plan, aimed at making Benue rabies-free by 2030.
Dr. Asambe urged all pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies as required by law and called on the public to report any suspected rabies cases to local authorities or veterinary offices. He also advised anyone bitten or scratched by an animal to seek medical attention immediately.
He concluded by commending the support of OHDI and other partners in the fight to eradicate rabies in Benue and beyond.
