Oyo state government has expressed its determination to curb the menace of rabies in the nooks and crannies of the state.
This was disclosed on Friday by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye at the flagging off of anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the state .
The Commissioner stressed that the campaign was part of the activities by the Oyo State government towards curbing the menace of rabies in the state.
Barrister Olaleye stated that the campaign is in collaborated with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo State Branch and that it is also part of activities marking the 2023 World Rabies Day in Ibadan.
He noted that the vaccination programme demonstrates the state government’s resolve to eradicate rabies by increasing the availability and accessibility of anti-rabies vaccines in the state.
” It is important humans are protected from diseases that are transmissible from animals, as about 70 percent of infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin”, he said.
The Commissioner added, “We have also improved our surveillance and reporting systems, to monitor anthrax and every zoonotic diseases, to evaluate the impact of our collective interventions”.
He said Oyo State would be ready to partner with any association or group to ensure people of the state are healthy.
Speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Oyo state branch, Dr. Moses Arokoyo commended the state government for being proactive in fighting against zoonotic diseases adding that free anti-rabies vaccination of dogs was part of efforts to celebrate this year’s Wold Rabies Day.
ENDS.
