Adamawa launches cattle vaccination campaign to prevent livestock losses
By Chinyere Anyanwu [email protected]
In response to a devastating outbreak of hemorrhagic septicemia that has claimed over a thousand cattle lives in neighbouring Taraba State, the Adamawa State government has launched an urgent mass vaccination campaign.
The initiative, aimed at safeguarding livestock and preventing the spread of the disease, began over the weekend and focuses on local government areas (LGAs) that share borders with Taraba State and the Cameroon Republic.
The campaign was officially inaugurated by Tijjani Marksha, the Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture, who led a team of ministry officials and veterinary experts in Gongoshi, located in the Mayo Belwa Local Government Area. Commissioner Marksha emphasised the critical nature of the exercise, noting that hemorrhagic septicemia, a severe disease primarily affecting cattle, had wreaked havoc in Taraba’s Sardauna LGA and had spread to other areas, resulting in significant cattle losses.
“To prevent a similar crisis in Adamawa, we have mobilised our veterinary resources and put all divisional veterinary officers on high alert,” said Commissioner Marksha.
“This proactive vaccination campaign is crucial to protect our livestock from the encroaching disease”, he added. Dr. Berthilimous Nyalas, Director of State Veterinary Services, detailed the first phase of the vaccination effort, which will cover nine LGAs: Numan, Demsa, Lamurde, Toungo, Fufore, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Mayo Belwa, where the campaign has already commenced. These areas were chosen due to their strategic location near both Taraba and Cameroon, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of the disease.
The vaccination drive is noteworthy for being one of the first government-initiated programs of its kind, undertaken without a formal request from cattle owners. Ardo Kwanan Lauje, Gonhoshi Ardo Abfu Gajere, expressed gratitude on behalf of the local cattle owners, highlighting the importance of the government’s timely intervention.
“This vaccination programme is unprecedented and highly appreciated,” said Ardo Gajere. “It demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting our livestock and preventing a repeat of the tragic losses experienced in Taraba.”
The Adamawa State government’s proactive stance underscores its dedication to safeguarding the agricultural sector and mitigating the impact of animal diseases, reflecting a broader effort to enhance livestock health and prevent future outbreaks.
