The Adamawa State government has confirmed an outbreak of rabies, with cats being particularly affected, as stated by the Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture Development, Alhaji Tijjani Maksha.

Maksha made the announcement during a briefing with newsmen in Yola on Thursday, stating that measures were being implemented to control the situation.

He therefore explained that rabies, a deadly virus, is mainly found in dogs and cats and is transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites.

The Commissioner therefore urged pet owners, especially those with cats and dogs, to take their animals to government-approved veterinary hospitals or clinics for vaccinations.

Maksha also mentioned that the ministry was awaiting the governor’s approval to launch a statewide vaccination campaign for all pets, particularly cats, in Adamawa.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mohammed Amin, stressed that a sample test conducted at the National Veterinary Laboratory in VOM, Plateau State, showed that out of 19 cats, nine tested positive for rabies.

According to him, this suggests that approximately 50 per cent of cats in the state may be affected.

Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Bathilomeu Nyalas, revealed that three people had died from confirmed rabies cases in 2024.

He assured the public that the ministry was closely monitoring the situation, with doctors placed on surveillance across all 21 Local Government Areas.

Nyalas outlined symptoms of rabies in pets, including unusual behaviour, excessive salivation, and high body temperature, advising pet owners to seek immediate veterinary care if they observed these signs.