Outbreak Investigation of Rabies in Tsanni Village, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria: A Case Report

Abstract

Rabies is an acute, progressive, and almost invariably fatal viral disease of the central nervous system affecting humans and other warm-blooded animals. Although dogs are the principal source of human rabies, infection in livestock presents important veterinary, occupational, food-safety, and public-health concerns. These risks are particularly substantial in nomadic and pastoral communities, where livestock frequently interact with free-roaming dogs and access to veterinary services may be limited. This report describes a rabies outbreak involving dogs and cattle in Tsanni Village, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. On 12^th February 2025, a Community Animal Health Worker reported suspected rabies cases to the appropriate veterinary authority. Investigation revealed that a stray dog had entered a herd on 15^th November 2024 and attacked two puppies. One puppy died on the day of the attack, while the surviving puppy developed aggression approximately 15 days later and subsequently bit its mother. The bitch later developed aggressive behavior and bit three adult cattle, one calf, and a neighboring dog. One exposed cow became aggressive and developed excessive salivation, hoarse bellowing, and abnormal posture approximately 57 days after exposure. The cow was slaughtered, and its head was partially processed for human consumption before being retrieved by the investigation team. Brain tissue from the cow’s head tested positive with a rapid immunochromatographic assay, and the diagnosis was confirmed using the direct fluorescent antibody technique at the National Veterinary Research Institute. A calf and another exposed cow subsequently tested positive through saliva testing and were culled. A third exposed cow remained clinically normal, received four doses of post-exposure prophylaxis, and tested negative three months after the final dose. Ring vaccination was conducted in Tsanni and neighboring communities, during which 97 cattle were vaccinated. Community sensitization was also carried out. The outbreak highlights the consequences of inadequate vaccination, delayed reporting, traditional treatment, unsafe carcass disposal, and slaughter of suspected rabid livestock. Strengthening community-based surveillance, mass dog vaccination, laboratory diagnosis, timely post-exposure management, safe handling of suspect carcasses, and One Health coordination is essential for reducing rabies transmission in Katsina State and supporting Nigeria’s goal of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.