Governor Kefas launches free vaccination of livestock against Anthranx in Taraba
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas, has flaged-off free vaccination of livestock against the dreaded anthrax disease in Taraba State
Speaking at the official flag-off of the free Anthrax Vaccination at Kpanti Napu, Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Oliver Namessan, revealed that 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 (FMARD) in July 2023.
He said as a result of the notice, the Taraba State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas, had considered it important to be proactive in the face of the challenge, hence the decision to procure doses of Anthrax vaccine for free vaccination of susceptible animal species in the State.
The Commissioner called on the Director, Veterinary Services (DVS), of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and his Divisional Veterinary Officers in the 16 Local Government Areas of the State to ensure immediate commencement of the anthrax vaccination of susceptible animal species across the State.
He equally called on all livestock keepers, security agencies, stakeholders and other relevant authorities and the general public to support and cooperate with the veterinary personnel who would soon be going through the knooks and crannies of the State to carry out the exercise
Professor Nicholas Oliver urged those that keep livestock or carry out businesses that are livestock related to remain vigilant and report any suspicious illnesses or deaths in animals to the veterinary authorities.
While appreciating Governor Agbu Kefas for his quick intervention to prevent the dreaded disease from penetrative into the state, the Commissioner said Dr Agbu Kefas-led administration was the first in the history of Taraba State to purchase two million doses of a single type of animal vaccine for free vaccination of livestock since the creation of Taraba State.
He said the Governor’s decision was a sign of many good things to come for the people of Taraba State who are mainly farmers and called for continuous prayers and support for the administration which he said had shown commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of all Tarabans using available resources at its disposal.
In his speech at the occasion, the Director, Veterinary Services (DVS) of Taraba State, Dr Shehu Abdullahi Yaro, disclosed that anthrax is a disease caused by spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium, he noted, causes high morbidity and mortality primarily in herbivores (grass-eating animals) as well as most mammals.
He said the disease affects cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and horses and is transmitted when animals consume or come in contact with infected forage, feed or soil contaminated with the bacterial spores (seeds) of the organism.
“Anthrax is a zoonotic disease; which means the disease is transmissible between animals and man. Human beings get infected with anthrax by consuming meat from infected animals, ingesting anthrax spores that are in the soil or feed, inhalation of polluted aerosol or wound contacts with infected materials.
“Anthrax is a World Organization for Animal Health’s (WwOAH)-listed disease. The WOAH-Iisted diseases are diseases of terrestrial and aquatic animals that are of international concern owing to their effect on animal or human health and WOAH/OIE member countries are obliged to notify the OIE when any of such diseases occur or are detected in their States.
“Anthrax can be controlled or prevented by vaccination of susceptible animals using Anthrax Spore Vaccines. Other preventive measures including maintenance of sanitary measures using disinfectants, strict quarantine and incineration of dead animals”. He added
The Director pointed out that many years, government-sponsored free annual vaccinations of animals had not bein practiced in Taraba State The situation he said had caused the livestock keepers to seek self help which has resulted to extensive drug misuse and emergence of resistant disease-causing agents with its attendant complications of widespread drug resistance.
He noted that the first reported outbreak of anthrax in the present wave was confirmed on 14″ July, 2023 in a livestock farm in Niger State and subsequently, another outbreak was detected in Lagos State. “As at today, no suspicion or outbreak of anthrax has been reported in Taraba State. This underscores the value of this vaccination exercise that the State Government has graciously invested on”. The director stated.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner, Ministry of Waste Management and Inovation, Hon Shonzen Benard, the Galadima Muri, Alh. Tukur Aba Tukur and the Sarkin Fulani Bama Chiefdom Alh A. Ibrahim, all applauded Governor Agbu Kefas for identifying with livestock communities, saying that the act was a demonstration that, as the Governor of Taraba State, he truly stands for all manner of people in the State.
Meanwhile, the official flag-off ceremony, was graced by many personalities in the state, including the Taraba State Head of Service, Mrs Suzy Nathan, the Vice Chancellor, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Professor Paul Bako, the Provost, Taraba State college of Agric Science and Technology, Yakubu Ali Garjiya and Commissioners of different Ministries of the state.
