By Amuche Agbo
Following the prevalent nature of rabies disease resulted by dogs and cats bite, Ebonyi state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resource, Hon. Moses Ogodoali Nome has charged dogs and cats owners to as a matter of urgency vaccinate them to fight rabies virus in the state.
The commissioner gave the charge while flagging off free rabies vaccination exercise of the state in collaboration with Federal government at Abakaliki Local Government Area headquarters, Nkaliki.
He said, the essence was to forestall the untimely death cause by either dog or cat bite,saying that its importance cannot be Overemphasized, as it would go a long way to prevent such deadly diseases in the state and the country at large.
The commissioner noted that the exercise would last for two weeks, and called on the owners of such animals not to play with it but hasten up to inject them because of their limited time to ensure all of them got vaccinated
He added that the exercise would capture all local government areas of the state so as to reach both urban and rural populace, advising them to report any victim to the appropriate quarters for medical attention.
The permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Rita Okoro hinted that rabies is a very dangerous disease transmitted by dogs bite which had led many peoples to untimely death, stating that Federal government had launched three thousand vaccine to ensure every dogs in the state are being vaccinated to prevent the deadly virus.
Doctor Okoro while saying that over sixteen thousand persons have died of rabies, globally stressed the need for the people to embrace it to curb future occurrences.
However, the state Director of veterinary services, Doctor Ephraim Nwanga said the vaccination became necessary for the good of the people, called on dog owners to endeavor to vaccinate their animals to eliminate the disease adding that it would also improve lives of those animals.
He urged them not to allow already vaccinated one to mingle with others not yet vaccinated to enable them achieve their set objectives.
A dog owner, Mr Chidiebere Nwankwo commended both State and Federal over the exercise stating that the measure would enhance free rabies in the state
Another dog owner, Mr Victor Eze noted that the exercise is a welcome development, said that it is very dangerous to keep a dog not vaccinated at home and appreciated the commissioner for such wonderful exercise while urging dog owners to queue into the exercise, as it improves their health status and their easy management. He called them to always take care of them to avoid biting people in their various localities.
Meanwhile a lot of dogs were vaccinated at the area
