Rabies Still Kills in Nigeria: Why a National Pet Registration System Is Long Overdue

In 2021–2022, Nigeria reported 232 dog bite incidents, of which 53 were confirmed rabies cases, resulting in 17 deaths across 11 states; highlighting a fatality rate of nearly one in three confirmed exposures.

Veterinarian giving rabies vaccination to a dog during a Nigerian pet registration campaign. Essential for rabies prevention, outbreak tracking, and public safety.

Despite this, Nigeria remains largely reactive. Data from 2014–2021 shows 505 confirmed canine rabies cases, 338 animal deaths, and only 3,455 vaccinations administered across 457 outbreaks. This underscores a chronic gap in vaccination response, even when outbreaks occur.

Rabies: Preventable, Yet Fatal

Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, but entirely preventable with timely intervention. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can stop the virus if administered promptly. However, the cost is steep: averaging around $108 per treatment globally. In Nigeria, while exact PEP cost data is limited, rabies shots typically run between ₦3,000 and ₦7,500 per dose. Without a way to track pets, it's nearly impossible to target high-risk areas or ensure widespread vaccination coverage.

Registration Solves a Real Problem

Right now, Nigeria lacks a system to identify vaccinated pets or locate virus hotspots. A national registry would enable:

Faster vaccination campaigns where needed most.
Better outbreak tracking and resource allocation.
Accountability for pet owners, lost or stray animals can be traced and immunized.

These are practical, not theoretical, needs; rooted in data showing Nigeria’s current system fails to meet even basic disease control benchmarks.

Can This Work? Yes, with Existing Infrastructure

Nigeria already manages a national voter registration system with millions of records. Extending a similar digital platform to pets is entirely feasible. Community health centers that run immunization campaigns can also register pets without building new infrastructure. Even if only 16% of states currently have dog population or vaccination data, as one study shows, it’s a strong baseline to build on.

Additional Outbreaks Demand Urgency

In Adamawa State in early 2025, authorities confirmed a rabies outbreak primarily affecting cats. Vaccination campaigns were urgently needed, but no structural system was in place to track or register pets.

Final Word: Grounded, Practical, Urgent

Rabies is fatal, preventable, and persistently relevant in Nigeria. Confirmed human cases are not abstract, they’re recorded, deadly, and often avoidable. A national pet registration system isn’t a political whim; it’s a data-driven solution that will save lives. It’s time we treat this like the public health issue it truly is.

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