Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Five residents of Malam Matari community on the outskirts of Damaturu, Yobe State, are receiving medical treatment after being bitten by a dog confirmed to have rabies, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns over public health and animal disease control in the state. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, 11 July 2026, also affected livestock, prompting the Yobe State Pilot Livestock Development Programme to deploy its Rapid Response Team to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus.
The Programme Manager of the Yobe State Pilot Livestock Development Programme, Dr Bulama Maina Yaro, who supervised the emergency operation, said samples collected from the dog were analysed at the National Veterinary Research Institute Laboratory in Jos, Plateau State, where rabies was confirmed. The confirmation triggered an immediate response from veterinary authorities, who safely disposed of and buried two goats that had been bitten by the infected dog in line with veterinary public health guidelines to eliminate the risk of further transmission.
Dr Yaro confirmed that the five victims were responding well to treatment and had commenced the recommended five-dose post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine regimen. "The situation is under control. The affected persons are receiving appropriate medical care, while the infected animals have been safely buried to prevent further spread of the virus," Dr Yaro said. The emergency operation was carried out in collaboration with the Yobe State Ministry of Livestock through its Director of Veterinary Public Health, Abdullahi Maiwada, while the Primary Health Department of the Damaturu Local Government Area provided logistical support through its Chief Sanitation Officer, Malam Ibrahim Aliyu.
As part of efforts to prevent future outbreaks, the response team conducted a community sensitisation campaign in Malam Matari to educate residents on the dangers of rabies, how to identify symptoms in animals, what to do after a dog bite, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention. The awareness session was led by Veterinary Officer Dr Yau Buba Wakil. Dr Yaro commended the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni for providing the resources, vaccines and medical support that enabled the rapid containment of the outbreak. He urged residents to promptly report suspected rabies cases to the veterinary rapid response team in Damaturu for immediate intervention. Health experts advise anyone bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal to wash the wound immediately with soap and running water and seek urgent medical care, as prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective in preventing the disease before symptoms develop.
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