At least 18 people have been bitten by a dog suspected of being infected with rabies in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, prompting an urgent response from the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS). The incident began when the rabid dog attacked 11 individuals in Garko town before moving to nearby communities—Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya, and Dausai—where it bit seven more people. Authorities are now on high alert as they search for the suspect animal and two other dogs believed to have been infected after coming into contact with it.
The NFSS Kano Command confirmed the outbreak through a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar. He noted that the three dogs pose a serious threat to public health and animal welfare in the region, as rabies is a deadly viral disease that spreads through saliva, usually via bites. The service has deployed officers led by Divisional Forest Officer Auwalu Muhammad to conduct door-to-door searches in the affected areas to locate and neutralize the infected animals.
According to the NFSS, the operation aims to prevent further attacks and curb the spread of rabies among both humans and livestock. Officers are actively patrolling villages and farmlands, working closely with local leaders and community members to gather information about the movements of the stray dogs. The agency emphasized that rabies is 100% preventable through timely medical intervention, especially post-exposure prophylaxis.
In a phone interview with DAILY POST, an NFSS officer revealed that the original rabid dog had already bitten other dogs in the area, raising concerns about a possible chain reaction of infections. “The mad dog has bitten other dogs here, we are not certain how many yet. After the mad dog was out of town, another one started to run mad as well,” the officer stated, highlighting the growing risk of wider contamination.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or aggressive animals to the nearest NFSS office or security agency. The service also advised anyone bitten by a dog or exposed to a potentially rabid animal to seek immediate medical attention at a health facility. Failure to do so could lead to severe complications, including death, as rabies is fatal once symptoms appear.
The NFSS assured the public that operations will continue until the threat is fully contained. They are working alongside local authorities and health officials to monitor the situation and provide necessary support. This incident underscores the need for improved awareness and preventive measures against rabies in rural communities across Nigeria. As the search intensifies, health experts warn that early detection and swift action are crucial to preventing a larger outbreak.
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