Profiling the public health risk of canine rabies transmission in Kogi state, Nigeria

Abstract

Recently reports have emerged of rabies outbreaks in townships close to the city of Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State in Nigeria. Areas in Lokoja are known to have high rates of dog bites and dogs are frequently butchered for human consumption, both of which may constitute risk factors for rabies transmission. However, data on the relative importance of these factors on canine rabies exposure in the densely populated capital of Kogi State is scarce. To understand the risk for public health two separate observational cross-sectional studies were conducted in Lokoja. Firstly, a retrospective study was performed to investigate the human profile of dog bite injuries and quantify the vaccination coverage of offending dogs. Information on dog bite cases and vaccination records covering of 11 years (2003−2013) were obtained from the largest public veterinary clinic (i.e. State Veterinary Clinic) and a private veterinary clinic in Lokoja. Then, an investigation of the presence of rabies antigen in the brain tissues of dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Lokoja was performed. A total of 208 canine brain samples from five slaughter points within the army barracks (the main venue in Lokoja where dogs are slaughtered for human consumption) were examined by fluorescent antibody technique. Out of 95 human dog bite cases, 46 (48.4%) were in persons between 10 and 19 years of age and 57 (60%) were males. There was a statistically significant association between gender of victims and their age, with a greater proportion of bites in males <10 years of age compared to other age groups ( P < .001). Our results indicated a higher frequency of dog bites on the legs (51%) than other parts of the body; vaccination rates of offending dogs were lower compared to the general population of dogs presenting to clinics in Lokoja (25% vs 31%, respectively). Rabies antigen was detected in 11/203 (5.3%) brain samples from dogs slaughtered for human consumption. Paediatric dog bites and dog slaughtering practices represent a significant public health risk to residents of Lokoja in the context of rabies exposure. In order to minimize the risk of rabies outbreaks in children and people butchering, handling and consuming dog meat, dog vaccination and health promotion and education should be prioritized to these high risk groups.

Rabies epidemiology, prevention and control in Nigeria: Scoping progress towards elimination

“…In the absence of a national rabies control program, Nigeria remains a nation grappling with an endemic zoonosis with a high disease burden and repeated outbreaks [ 16 , 19 , 77 ]. The results of our scoping review highlight domains of rabies prevention and control that require urgent attention to alleviate the burden of disease in both human and animal populations.…”

“…Our results indicate that most dog samples processed in canine rabies prevalence studies were from dogs meant for human consumption, purchased from dog meat markets. Dog trade for human consumption is common in some Nigerian states, namely Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Kaduna, and Kogi [ 19 , 23 , 80 ]. For example, the Plateau State is a significant hub for dog trade [ 33 ].…”

“…In Nigeria, anecdotal reports on dog bites abound in human clinics and veterinary hospitals, but only a minority are documented [ 19 , 20 ]. Moreover, routine RV diagnosis is only available at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Nigeria [ 21 ].…”

Epidemiology of rabies immune globulin use in paediatric and adult patients in the USA: a cross-sectional prevalence study

“… 13 14 Additional studies have also reported higher bite frequencies among boys compared with girls which can partially be explained by gender differences in behaviour towards dogs. 12 Shetty et al have observed that more than half of animal bite victims were children aged <14 years. 15 Male children were found to be twice as likely as females to be bit which is also consistent with the findings in previous studies.…”

“… 1 In addition, lower body bites are associated with a longer rabies incubation period, therefore, resulting in a longer period for rabies to manifest and providing a false sense of security. 12 Unvaccinated patients should receive immediate PEP that includes RIG as soon as possible to neutralise the viral inoculum, as the immunogenic response to vaccination may be delayed by 7–10 days. 1 4 …”