. 18 people already bitten as NFSS widen search for two other infected dogs
Following the biting of no fewer than 18 people by a dog suspected to have contracted rabies in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Garko Division, has launched a search operation for the dog and two others suspected to have been infected with the disease.
NFSS Kano State Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar, said the incident followed a distress report received by its Garko office.
The statement said the dog initially attacked and bit 11 people in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities.
NFSS said seven other people were subsequently bitten in Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai communities, bringing the reported number of victims to 18.
The Service added that two additional dogs were also suspected to have contracted rabies, raising concerns about the possible spread of the disease among animals and residents.
Following the reports, NFSS officers, under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, were deployed in the affected communities to locate and neutralise the suspected infected dogs.
The Service said the operation was aimed at preventing further attacks and containing the potential spread of rabies in the affected areas.
NFSS urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report stray dogs or animals showing possible signs of rabies to its nearest office or other security agencies.
Residents were also advised to seek immediate medical attention after being bitten by a dog or exposed to an animal suspected to be infected with rabies.
The NFSS assured that its officers would continue the search for the dogs across the affected communities until they succeed in containing the threat posed by the rabid animals.
