Suspected rabid dog bites 18 people in Kano
At least 18 individuals have been bitten by a dog suspected to be infected with rabies in the Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Garko Division, has commenced a search for the suspected rabid dog, along with two additional dogs believed to be infected.
According to the NFSS Kano Command, the incident was reported after the dog attacked 11 people in Garko town. The situation escalated as the dog moved to surrounding communities, resulting in seven more bites in Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya, and Dausai.
In a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar, officials cautioned that these three dogs could pose a significant risk of rabies transmission to both residents and other animals.
A team of officers, led by Divisional Forest Officer Auwalu Muhammad, has been deployed to the affected areas to locate and address the threat posed by the suspected infected dogs. The NFSS emphasized that this operation aims to prevent further attacks and mitigate the risk of rabies in the region.
Residents of Garko and nearby communities have been urged to remain vigilant and report any stray dogs or animals exhibiting signs of rabies to the nearest NFSS office or security agency. In a telephone interview, an NFSS officer noted that the suspected rabid dog had also bitten other dogs, raising further concerns about the situation.
Residents are advised to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a dog or if they come into contact with an animal suspected of carrying rabies. The NFSS officials reaffirmed their commitment to continue searching the affected communities until the threat is under control.
