Strategic Plan for Rabies Elimination in Benue State Through Mass Dog Vaccination

This study develops a strategic plan for rabies elimination in Benue State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, using mass dog vaccination as the primary intervention. Rabies is a 100 percent fatal viral encephalitis that causes an estimated 59,000 deaths globally each year, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, with domestic dogs as the principal reservoir. WHO recommends achieving and maintaining above 70 percent vaccination coverage in dog populations as the threshold for interrupting rabies transmission. Using a professional strategic planning methodology, the study conducted a statewide dog population census using mark-recapture sampling across 10 local government areas, followed by a rapid assessment of rabies exposure data from the Benue State epidemiological register from 2020 to 2023. Stakeholder consultations with veterinary officers, local government administrators, and community leaders informed the strategic priority setting and implementation pathway. Findings revealed a total estimated dog population of approximately 310,000 in Benue State, with a current vaccination coverage of approximately 22 percent. An average of 12 human rabies deaths was officially recorded annually, with unofficial estimates considerably higher. The strategic plan proposes annual mass vaccination campaigns using central point and door-to-door methods, integration of dog population management, surveillance strengthening, and post-exposure prophylaxis access improvement. A five-year implementation budget and monitoring framework are provided. Keywords: rabies elimination, dog vaccination, Benue State, strategic plan, One Health.