At least 18 people have been bitten by a dog suspected to be infected with 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 NFSS Kano Command said the incident was reported to its Garko office after the dog attacked 11 people in Garko town. It later moved to nearby communities, where seven more people were bitten in Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
In a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar, the service said the three dogs could pose a risk of spreading rabies among residents and other animals.
Officers led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, were deployed to the affected communities to find and neutralise the suspected infected dogs.
The NFSS said the operation was intended to stop further attacks and reduce the risk of rabies spreading in the area.
It urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain alert and report stray dogs or animals showing signs of rabies to the nearest NFSS office or security agency.
Speaking to DAILY POST in a phone call, the officer said: “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.”
Residents were also advised to seek immediate medical attention if they are bitten by a dog or come into contact with an animal suspected to have rabies.
The service said its officers would continue searching the affected communities until the threat is brought under control.