ABSTRACT
Rabies is a zoonosis that occurs in more than 150 countries and territories. Worldwide, more than 55 000 people die of rabies every year. Poor people, children and individual that deals with dogs, especially veterinarians and dog meat processors are at a high risk of exposure. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rabies antigen in the brain of dogs slaughtered for food in Kaura and Jama?a LGAs of Kaduna State. The study design was cross sectional. Fluorescent antibody test (FAT) was performed on 200 brain Samples. Forty (40) questionnaires were also administered to dog processors to assess their level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards rabies. A review of records on dog bite in veterinary clinic and health centers between (2007-2011) was also carried out. Out of the 200 brain samples from slaughtered dogs examined, 14(7%) were positive. The frequency distribution of the demographic characteristics of dog meat processors showed that males were 97.5%, which gives an indication that males are more likely to be exposed rabies than females. About 80.0% of dog meat processors were knowledgeable on rabies, 50.0% had an acceptable level of attitude towards rabies and 52.5% had acceptable score for practice. All cases in human hospitals within the five years reviewed, 2.9% were cases of dog bite. Dog meat processors should be made to be aware of the risk of being exposed to rabies during dog meat processing and should be advised to report in case of bites and cut during processing to health authorities. viii ABBREVIATIONS ABLV Australian bat lyses virus BC Before Christ CI Confidence interval CNS Central Nervous System DFA/FAT Direct fluorescent antibody test DUVV Duvenhage virus EBLV I European bat lyssa virus I EBLV 2 European bat lyssa virus 2 IKOV Ikoma lyssavirus I KAP Knowledge, attitude and practice Kb Kilobyte LBV Lagos bat virus MAbs Monoclonal antibodies MOKV Mokola virus OR Odds Ratio PBS Phosphate buffered saline PET Post exposure treatment RABV Classical rabies virus SHIBV Shimoni bat virus WCBV West Caucasian bat virus WHO World health organization.