Rabies Outbreak in Abuja Claims Two Lives, Urges Vaccination

Two individuals have died from rabies in Abuja, confirmed by Dr. Karnak Dandam, Director of Veterinary Services at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The fatalities were reported in the Gwagwalada and Kwali area councils, with a total of eight rabies cases recorded.

Dandam emphasized the need for residents to report dog bites and vaccinate their pets against rabies, a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted through bites from infected animals. Symptoms in humans include fever, headache, fatigue, and confusion, while infected dogs may exhibit aggression and excessive salivation.

The FCTA is intensifying awareness campaigns and plans to conduct a mass vaccination exercise for dogs and cats across the FCT from December 2025 to January 2026 due to a shortage of vaccine doses. Residents are advised to monitor their pets for behavioral changes and to confine them to prevent exposure to rabid animals.