Community-based Investigation of Rabies Antibody Profile of Dogs and Control in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Rabies, control, sustainable prevention, animal sourceAbstract
This survey is a community-based investigation of rabies antibody profile in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. The aim is to examine how the dogs owners control this disease in the study area. This study employed survey research design. One hundred and ninety apparently healthy dogs of both sexes (106 males and 84 females) were selected for the study using stratified random sample technique. The study provides the rabies antibody profile of dogs in Ilorin, Nigeria using an ELISA technique. In addition, a structured questionnaire was administered to the dogs owners in the study area within three months to assess anti-rabies vaccination history and rabies history in the community. The study reveals a seroprevalence rate of 53.70%, 43.60% and 25% for Ilorin East, Ilorin West and Ilorin South respectively. The low prevalence of antibody against rabies observed in this study indicates lack of consistent vaccination programme and/or vaccination failure in some cases. Data analysis was done through student t-test. Based on the findings of this study, the control of rabies in dogs through vaccination remains the only cost effective way to control rabies in dogs and to sustainably protect human from contacting the disease.
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