Rabies Outbreak Claims 2 Lives In FCT, Govt Begins Vaccination Drive

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confirmed an outbreak of rabies in parts of the territory, with two persons reported dead following bites from infected dogs.

The deceased victims, one from Gwagwalada Area Council and the other from Kwali Area Council, died after contracting the deadly viral disease from rabid dog bites.

The director of Veterinary Services at the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCTA, Dr Karnak Dandam, who confirmed the outbreak in Abuja on Wednesday, said the administration had commenced measures to contain the spread, while urging residents to report all cases of dog bites and ensure their pets are vaccinated.

Dandam described rabies as a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, noting that it is transmitted mainly through the bite of infected dogs and cats.

He disclosed that eight confirmed cases had so far been recorded, with five cases from Gwagwalada and three from Kwali Area Councils, resulting in two fatalities.

According to him, samples collected from suspected cases were sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, for laboratory confirmation.

“There are eight confirmed cases of samples taken for testing at the National Reference Laboratory, NVRI, and they came out positive.

“The first samples we took to Vom this year were in March, and the result came out the same month. The second sample was in early June, and the result came out on 15 June,” he said.

The veterinary director explained that rabies symptoms in humans include fever, headache, fatigue, pain or tingling around the bite area, followed by anxiety, confusion, hallucinations and abnormal behaviour.

He warned that once symptoms appear, survival is rare, stressing that immediate medical attention remains the only option after exposure.

“The immediate remedy after a bite is to wash the affected area with soap and plenty of water as first aid and immediately present the victim to medical personnel for treatment,” he said.

Dandam also highlighted signs of rabies in dogs, including excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, aggression, hanging jaws, hallucinations and hydrophobia, a severe fear of water.

He advised residents to be cautious around stray animals and pay attention to sudden behavioural changes in their pets.

“The major clinical sign that the owner will notice is that the dog that has been friendly suddenly becomes apprehensive and aggressive and starts attacking without provocation,” he said.

He added that infected dogs often isolate themselves initially before becoming aggressive and attacking objects, including their owners, as the disease progresses.

“As the disease advances, the dog will start roaming around with its jaw widely open, which will progress to paralysis and eventual death within 10 days of the onset of clinical signs,” he said.

Dandam disclosed that the FCTA had previously conducted vaccination campaigns for dogs and cats across the six area councils in December 2025 and January 2026. Still, the exercise was limited by a shortage of vaccine doses.

He said the administration was now taking steps to procure additional vaccines and commence a comprehensive mass vaccination campaign across communities in the territory.

“The secretariat is also sensitising residents across the six area councils to take their dogs and cats to designated public and private veterinary clinics for rabies vaccination and certification,” he said.

The director urged pet owners to keep their dogs and cats confined after vaccination to prevent them from roaming freely and coming into contact with infected animals.

“Everybody has to restrict their dogs and cats, so that they will not be roaming the streets and become exposed to infected rabid dogs,” he advised.

He said the planned vaccination campaign would cover all villages and towns in the FCT, adding that veterinary officials would visit communities to vaccinate animals and issue certificates and licences to owners.

“Anywhere there is a dog and a cat, we will visit, vaccinate and give the owners a certificate of vaccination and licence. That’s our plan,” Dandam said.

The FCTA further urged residents to avoid contact with stray dogs and immediately seek medical assistance after any animal bite to prevent further deaths from the outbreak.