The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria, has flagged off this year's State wide Anti Rabies Mass Vaccination Campaign Exercise in Ilorin, the State Capital.

The State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has equally approved the release of funds to kick start the exercise. The exercise is part of the present Administration's efforts to eradicate incidence of Rabies through dogs and cats bites in the State.

Flagging off the exercise at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Headquarters, the State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, expressed government's commitment to the well being of the people and animals in the State.

According to him, the State Government is investing heavily on both human and animal health in order to have a safe and healthy society.

“With this Anti Rabies Mass Vaccination, there is no way we can have a good and healthy environment if our pets are at risk, as we know the case fatality rate of rabies that are symptomatic is close to hundred percent as a result of cat and dog bites.”

Mr Alabi who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq noted that, if the society can tackle the issue of virus in dogs and cats, less will be done in taking care of humans with regards to rabies virus.

The Deputy Governor appealed for a strong collaborative effort from the stakeholders, with a view to ending transmission of rabies through regular vaccination, have a safe environment and a balance ecosystem in the State.

In their goodwill messages, the stakeholders at the event lauded the State Government's strides in public health sector and called for more stronger ties to have a disease free society.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director, Veterinary Services of the Ministry, Dr. Abdulateef Salman Olugbon, appreciated the State Government for the approval and release of funds for the exercise, noting that the gesture has shown that the Governor is committed to the peoples' wellbeing at all costs.

Dr Olugbon called the general public especially both dogs and cats owners, to make their animals available for vaccination at the State's Veterinary Offices across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.