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Article Information:
Why is there Still Rabies in Nigeria? - A Review of the Current and Future Trends in the Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Control and Possible Elimination of Rabies
A.O. Adedeji, O.D. Eyarefe, I.O. Okonko, M.O. Ojezele, T.A. Amusan and M.J. Abubakar
Corresponding Author: Okonko Iheanyi Omezuruike
Submitted: 2010 April, 19
Accepted: 2010 May, 01
Published: 2010 June, 20 |
Abstract:
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This study reports on why is there still rabies in Nigeria? Rabies is one of the most typical zoonosis
that has been well known since ancient ages. Rabies is endemic in Nigeria and remains an important public
health issue in Nigeria, W est Africa. It is the m ost important typical and zoonotic disease in the country. Public
concern and fears are most focused on dogs as the source of rabies. Rabies is an acute infectious viral disease
that attacks the nervous system, leaving victims suffering from convulsions, paralysis, excessive salivation and
an aversion to water. There have been fewer than five known cases where recovery has occurred. Rabies kills
an estimated 35,000 per year, mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Its occurrence in man and domestic
animals is well known but the importance of wild animals in its spread has not been determined. To date, no
effective medical therapy has been established for overt rabies. Preventive vaccination against rabies virus is
a highly effective method for preventing rabies in humans and animals. The rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
(PEP), which is a serial vaccination against rabies starting as soon as possible after the patient was bitten by
a suspected rabid animal, is the only way to prevent death. In Nigeria where dog bites continue to be the main
mode of transmission of the disease to man, it remains a serious public health hazard. Despite proper
vaccination some animals do not reach the threshold. Contributing factors include human factors through
increased human activities, attitudes, and error; socioeconomic factors through major ecologic, environmental
and anthropogenic changes of the biosphere, changes in agricultural practices, poverty, hunting with dogs, and
increasing demands for meat; animal factors (through animal importation, host population increase, migration
of dogs, migration of stray animals, frequency of consumption of animal brain); and vaccines and vaccination
factors (low vaccination coverage by increasing nonimmune population and factor contributing to vaccine
failures) and other vaccine related problem. Therefore, the need for detailed epidemiological studies in N igeria
together with surveillance, control, the vaccination of human and animals, and accurate data collection and
adequate reporting is emphasized.
Key words: Continued endemicity, domestic animals, preventive vaccination, public health issue, rabies, rabies virus, wild animal, zoonotic disease, Nigeria
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Cite this Reference:
A.O. Adedeji, O.D. Eyarefe, I.O. Okonko, M.O. Ojezele, T.A. Amusan and M.J. Abubakar, . Why is there Still Rabies in Nigeria? - A Review of the Current and Future Trends in the Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Control and Possible Elimination of Rabies. British Journal of Dairy Sciences, (1): Page No: 10-25.
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ISSN (Online): 2044-2440
ISSN (Print): 2044-2432 |
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