Dr. Huzaifa Abdullahi, Clinician Veterinary Doctor, Bauchi State Area Veterinary Clinic, has described rabies as a deadly disease that could affect the life of an unborn baby before delivery.

Abdullahi made this our correspondent in Bauchi, on Tuesday.

He said that the disease could be transmitted through the placenta.

Abdullahi said that other channels of transmission were from animal to man through the air, saliva, feaces, urine, and transplacental

Abdullahi also listed bats as another carrier of rabies.

“Dogs that present clinically with rabies bite whatever material or structure uncontrollably; so, human beings can contract the virus.

“Although it was the first case documented, a pregnant woman delivered, and the baby tested positive after being bitten by a puppy.

“The baby came up with abnormal signs and later died.

“The baby clinically tested positive for rabies,” he said.

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“It could be transmitted through air, saliva, faeces, urine, and transplacental,” he said.

Abdullahi advised all pregnant women to be cautioned while handling dogs; adding that they were potential carriers of the disease.