Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Governor Kefas Agbu has purchased two million doses of single type of animal vaccines for the free vaccination of livestock in the state.
The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Oliver Namessan stated this during the official flagging off of free Anthrax vaccination of livestock in Taraba State, which took place at Kpanti Napu, Yorro local government area.
“An official notice of confirmation of anthrax in a livestock farm in Niger State was received from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in July 2023, as a result, the Taraba State government consider it important to be proactive in the face of the challenge, hence the decision to procure doses of Anthrax vaccines for free vaccination of susceptible animal species in the state.
“I want to say that Governor Kefas Agbu led administration is the first administration in the history of the state to purchase two doses of a single type of animal vaccine for free vaccination of livestock since the creation of the state.
He call on the Director, Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and his Divisional Veterinary Officers of the Sixteen local governments of the state to ensure immediate commencement of the anthrax vaccination of susceptible animal species in the state immediately.
He also call on livestock keepers, security agencies, relevant stakeholders and the public to support and cooperate with the veterinary personal who will soon be going through the knooks and crannies of the state to carry out the activity.
“Further more, I want to use this opportunity to call on all Tarabans, particularly those that keep livestock or carry out any business that are related to livestock, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious illnesses or deaths in animals to the veterinary authorities.
He thank Tarabans for their patience over the years and request continues prayers and support for the present administration of Governor Kefas Agbu to improve the lives and the well-being of all Tarabans using available resources at his disposal.
In his remarks, the Director Veterinary Service, Shehu Abdullahi said that anthrax is a disease caused by spore forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis which causes high morbidity and morality primarily in herbivores (grass eating animals) as well as most mammals.
“The disease affects, cattle, sheeps, goats, camels, donkeys and horses and is transmitted when animals consume or come in contact with infected forage, feed or soil contaminated with bacterial spores of organism.
“Anthrax is a world Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) listed disease, which are diseases of terrestrial and aquatic animals that are of international concerned owing to their effect on animal or human health and member countries are obliged to notify the OIE when any of such diseases occur or are detected in their States.
“Anthrax is a preventable disease and can be controlled or prevented by vaccination of susceptible animals using anthrax spore vaccines. Other preventive measures include maintenance of sanitary measures using disinfectants, strict quarantine and incineration of death animals.
He reveal that anthrax outbrrak was first confirmed on the 14th July, 2023 in a livestock farm in Niger State and subsequently, another outbrrak was detected in Lagos State.
“As of today, no suspicious or outbrrak of anthrax has been reported in Taraba State. This underscore the value of this vaccination exercise that the state government has graciously invested on.
He call on Governor Kefas Agbu to restore the annual vaccination of animals as a mark of good governance and enhancing animal health which will be appreciated by the people of the state, particularly the livestock keepers.
