Wash dog bite for 15 minutes to prevent rabies, vet advises
A veterinary expert, Dr Mutiu Oladele-Bukola, says washing a dog bite with soap and running water for 15 minutes can save a life.
Oladele-Bukola of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday.
He spoke in commemoration of World Rabies Day, marked annually on Sept. 28 to raise awareness of dog bites and rabies.
“The first 10 minutes after a bite are decisive.
“However, the priority is to move away from the dog safely to prevent further bites.
“Then start washing immediately. Flush the wound thoroughly under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes.
“Don’t put pepper, herbs, chemicals, acids or irritants on the wound. Don’t tightly bandage or seal it,” he warned.
The vet doctor said that WHO specifically advised against harmful practices that could trap the virus.
He said after washing, victims must go to a health facility immediately, even if the wound looked small.
According to him, assessment should include Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, rabies immunoglobulin for severe exposures, tetanus protection and treatment for bacterial infection.
“A dog bite does not automatically mean rabies. But urgent assessment and appropriate PEP are needed when rabies is suspected.
“Prompt PEP can prevent it. Once clinical rabies develops, it is virtually 100 per cent fatal,” he added.
He cited a 2026 report in the Nigerian Veterinary Journal on Irepodun, Ibadan, where a stray dog bit five people on the same day.
“The dog was captured, euthanised and its head submitted to Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan.
“Histopathology showed lesions consistent with rabies, confirming rabies in the dog. The report did not provide outcome of victims,” he said.
He also recalled a case of a five-year-old boy who was bitten by a stray dog but did not receive PEP.
“About seven weeks later, he developed anxiety, hydrophobia, photophobia and aerophobia, and died 48 hours after admission,” he said.
According to WHO, rabies causes an estimated 59,000 deaths yearly in more than 150 countries, with more than 95 per cent of deaths occurring in Africa and Asia.
The Global Alliance for Rabies Control notes that this is about 160 deaths daily, with Africa accounting for 36 per cent and Asia 60 per cent.
About 40 per cent of deaths are children under 15 years, who are particularly vulnerable in rural communities.
On prevention, Oladele-Bukola said no single measure worked alone, stressing that sustained mass vaccination of dogs was key.
WHO recommends vaccination coverage of at least 70 per cent of dogs in at-risk areas to interrupt transmission.
He listed other measures to include treating every bite as an emergency, with rapid PEP referral, as well as ensuring vaccine availability and affordability.
Others are public education on responsible ownership and leashing, prompt reporting, One Health surveillance linking veterinary, human health and local government authorities, and humane dog population management.
He said that under the Oyo State Dog Law 2020, dogs should be vaccinated from three months and annually thereafter.
“The law provides N250,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both for failure to vaccinate and allowing dogs to roam freely,” the vet doctor said. (NAN)
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