Federal Government in Collaboration with Relevant Stakeholders has flagged off free vaccination against anthrax to ensure safety of livestock as well as prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected animals and human.
Representing The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe, at the flag off ceremony in Niger state, the Deputy Director of Veterinary and Pests Control Services, Abdulkareem Durosinlorun who expressed sympathy over the unfortunate diagnosis of Anthrax disease in Niger State recently, revealed that plans are underway to carry out a free anthrax vaccination campaign in other States.
He acknowledged that government has placed restrictions of movement on animals within the farm where the outbreak occurred for the next 20 days from the date of the outbreak”.
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Adding that the move is to ensure that the infected animals do not infect other animals around them, the farm, its equipment and surroundings will also be thoroughly disinfected. While the Ministry will also mount surveillance in slaughter slabs, abattoirs and livestock markets around the farm and similar locations in the country to detect the disease early before it spreads”,.
He noted that anthrax, an infectious zoonosis disease, caused by bacteria affects both domestic and wild animals and can also affect human especially those working closely with infected animals. To mitigate the effect therefore, Federal Government has deployed 50,000 doses of Anthrax vaccines to the State for the commencement of mass vaccination of all livestock within 12kilometres radius of the farm where the disease was first diagnosed.
In his remarks, the Emir of Suleja, His Royal Highness, Mallam Muhammad Awwal commended the Federal Government for its prompt response noting that the outbreak of the disease in his domain came as a shock to him and his Council members; however, he stated their readiness to curtail the disease and have deployed some health workers to join the team.
His Royal Highness, therefore pledged to sensitize his Council members on how to handle and prevent the disease.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
