At least 18 people have been bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Garko Division, has launched a search for the suspected rabid dog and two other dogs believed to have been infected.
The incident was reported to the NFSS after the dog attacked 11 people in Garko town. It later moved into nearby communities, where seven more people were bitten in Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
In a statement signed by the Kano Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar, the NFSS said the three dogs could pose a risk of transmitting rabies to residents and other animals.
Officers led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, were deployed to the affected communities to locate and neutralise the dogs.
The service said the operation was aimed at preventing further attacks and limiting the risk of rabies spreading in the area.
The NFSS urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to avoid stray dogs and report animals showing unusual or aggressive behaviour to the nearest NFSS office or security agency.
Speaking to newsmen by phone, the officer said the suspected rabid dog had also bitten other dogs in the area.
“The mad dog has bitten other dogs here, we are not certain how many yet. After the mad dog was out of town, another one started to run mad as well,” he said.
Residents who have been bitten by a dog or exposed to an animal suspected of carrying rabies were advised to seek medical attention immediately.
The NFSS said its officers would continue the search across the affected communities until the situation is brought under control.
