The Veterinary Council of Nigeria has warned that the country’s effort to eradicate rabies is being hampered by a shortage of funding, insufficient personnel and a lack of vaccines, according to a statement released by the council.
Rabies, a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, remains a public‑health concern in many parts of Africa, including Nigeria, where human cases are still reported each year.
Council officials said that limited financial resources have constrained the procurement of the necessary vaccines for both animals and people, while the shortage of trained veterinary staff has reduced the capacity to conduct widespread vaccination campaigns and surveillance.
“Without adequate funding and manpower, our ability to control and eventually eliminate rabies is severely compromised,” a council spokesperson said, emphasizing the need for increased government and donor support.
The council’s call for greater investment comes as health authorities continue to urge communities to seek prompt medical attention after animal bites and to support ongoing vaccination drives aimed at breaking the transmission cycle.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>