By Fatima Muraina

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Ondo State Government has declared that the state does not have any outbreak of rabies in any of its towns and communities.

The state Director of Veterinary, Dr. Adebayo Ehinmowo in a chat with The Hope yesterday said concerned authorities have mobilised in vaccinating domestic dogs because of the global initiative to eradicate rabies by 2030 .

” I am the Chief Veterinary Officer of Ondo state, that person who claimed there was an outbreak was only speaking out of his imagination, the fellow is not in any way reliable and cannot be trusted.

If there is any outbreak, anywhere across the length and breadth of Ondo state, I am the one who will confirm and announce it,” he said.

Also a retired Director of Veterinary, Mr Francis Ogunji called on Nigerians not to hesitate vaccinate their dogs against rabies at the nearest facility as scientists have yet to find a cure for the disease.

He said since rabies is not curable, the wisest thing to do is to prevent it, using all available means and strategies of which vaccination is the most tested and trusted alternative.

His words: “At the moment, there is no report of rabies in Ondo state because there is no confirmation of a particular case.”

 He added that mass publicity in the form of enlightenment campaign has been made on the electronic media to put people on their guard

While noting that the message has been extended to religious leaders at various places of worship, Ogunji said traditional rulers were also involved in the crusade of total health due to their closeness to the grassoots

“The disease for now cannot be managed or treated, so the best step and wisest choice is prevention meaning immunization is only the way out.” He quipped.

He therefore advised people who may have been bitten or attacked by dogs recently not to hesitate to report such a case to the nearest hospital within 72 hours of such an encounter so they can be administered with post- exposure Toxid.