Kogiflame
Kogi State Government is to commenced vaccination of domestic animals such as Cattle, sheep, and goats with 540,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccine to protect them from anthrax disease.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah made this known on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting held in Lokoja on vaccination campaign of animal against anthrax in Kogi State.
The Vaccination exercise is in conjuction with Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES).
The Commissioner in his speech said Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State has in his magnanimity creates an enabling environment to promote livestock health in Kogi State adding that the exercise will commence next week Monday
His words, “I will like to announce that the Department Of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry Of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA & FS) had initially donated 40,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccines
“The National Coordination Office of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in collaboration with the FMA & FS donated additional 500,000 doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccine to Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture,
I want to also appreciate the effort and support from Kogi L-PRES towards ensuring the successful commencement of vaccination campaign against anthrax.
“Today, we are here to sensitize the stakeholders on the need and importance of Vaccination Exercise against Anthrax in Kogi State. Anthrax is rare and serious disease caused by Gram positive rod-shaped Bacteria Known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in the soil and commonly affects domestic and wild Animals around the World. Humans can fall sick with the Anthrax if they come in contact with the affected animals or contaminated products, thus can cause severe illness and death in both Human and Animals,
“The disease can be prevented by vaccination of susceptible animals. The vaccination of anthrax shall be carried out in all the three (3) senatorial districts in Kogi State covering cattle, sheep, goat and other animals that are susceptible to anthrax.
He urged farmers and livestock owners to ensure their animals are vaccinated to protect them from this dangerous disease.
Earlier, the Kogi State coordinator.of L-PRES, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin said
Livestock plays a crucial role in the socioeconomic lives of individuals and families, particularly in rural areas and developing) countries.
According to him, 30% of the poor make out a living for themselves through livestock, and it is the most available and affordable protein for many individuals and families
“The donation of these vaccines by L-PRES is therefore, not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a tangible demonstration of our belief in the health of our livestock, not just a personal concern to the farmers but a shared responsibility for all stakeholders. It is a matter of ensuring food security, promoting economic growth, and protecting public health
“By working together, we can create a healthier future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us embrace this opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable livestock sector. Let us commit to investing in our communities, supporting our farmers, and protecting our livestock and ourselves from Zonotic diseases and epidemics,”. He said.
