News in brief:
– Nigeria’s animal production college launched a rabies awareness campaign across five neighbouring campus communities.
– The campaign focused on educating people about rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership.
The Department of Animal Health Technology at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT) has taken bold steps to combat rabies by launching an awareness campaign.
Held on Monday, the campaign covered five neighbouring communities around the campus, including the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA) and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T).
Rabies is a deadly viral disease primarily spread through the bite of infected animals, particularly dogs. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal, which is why prevention is crucial. The organisers focused on educating people on how to be proactive in preventing rabies, particularly in communities with limited access to formal education.
The outreach involved visiting key locations within the campus communities, where banners with vital information about rabies were displayed. Dr. Ifeoluwa Akanbi, Head of the Animal Health Technology Department, highlighted that the banners were designed to serve as permanent reminders for the communities. These banners were placed in strategic areas to ensure easy access to the information.
Dr. Jolade Aderonke Sansi, Dean of the School of Animal Health, emphasised the importance of awareness in preventing rabies. She explained that people need to be informed about the dangers of keeping pets like dogs without adequate care, as neglect increases the risk of rabies infection. The campaign also emphasized that while rabies has no cure, it is entirely preventable through responsible pet ownership and awareness.
