The Anambra State Government in partnership with Carter Centre said it recorded and treated 156 dog bites cases across the state, between 2023 and 2024.
Dr Afam Obidike, state’s Commissioner for Health, made the disclosure at a news conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Interventions, to mark the 2025 World NTDs Day, in Awka on Tuesday.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Unite to Act Towards Elimination of NTDs”.
The World NTDs Day is marked every Jan. 30 to create awareness and call on everyone to support the growing momentum for the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases.
Obidike said the state government established three centres for treatment of dog bite victims against Rabies Viral Infection at Onitsha Federal Medical Centre, Ekwulobia and Enugu-Ukwu General Hospitals.
“Out of the 156 dog bites cases, 118 victims showed open wounds and bleeding and more than half received free prophylactic treatment with Anti-Rabies vaccines.
“Results indicated that 87 males and 69 females were exposed, representing 56 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.
“The incessant movement of unvaccinated homeless, stray dogs in our streets remains a big challenge of public health.
“We are collaborating with the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, to control rabies viral infection in the state,” he said.
The Commissioner identified Onchocerciasis known as River Blindness, Lymphatic Filariasis also known as Elephantiasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), as the NTDs in the state.
According to him, NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.
He said the state had successfully eliminated two Neglected Tropical Diseases – River Blindness and Elephantiasis, through mass drug administration and vector control programmes.
Obidike urged Carter centre and academic institutions to intensify collaboration with the government to sustain the successes achieved in the prevention of NTDs.
He urged residents to report any cases of Elephantiasis, Hydrocele, Dogbites, Snakebites, Oncho Nodules, Yaws, Buruli Ulcer, Leprosy, Guinea Worm Disease, and Bloody Urine to the nearest health center for prompt treatment.
Also speaking, Programme Officer, the Carter Centre, Mrs Egeonu Attamah-Isiani, said the centre would continue to support the state to eliminate NTDs and achieve the global target by 2030.
In her remarks, Prof. Nkiru Orji, Coordinator, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), South-East, urged the state government to make policies and increase funding for NTDs research to provide data for elimination.
