The Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed a plan to vaccinate one million cattle across the six Area Councils to curb the spread of Anthrax in the territory.
The exercise was inaugurated on Monday, at Patkon Kore Grazing Reserve, Gwagwalada Area Council by the acting Secretary of the secretariat, Alhaji Ishaq Sadeeq Area Councils of the FCT.
He said the move was necessary following the confirmation of the disease in Suleja, in neighbouring Niger State. The vaccination exercise, according to him, would last for four weeks, and be intensified in the 62 wards of the six Area Councils of the FCT.
He explained that the exercise was part of the FCT Administration’s proactiveness and readiness to combat the disease.
“The FCT Administration had since the announcement of the outbreak in Ghana earlier this year, carried out a series of outreach campaigns to sensitise residents particularly livestock owners and butchers about the Anthrax disease.
“The sensitisation was to avail them with the knowledge of signs and symptoms, as well as effective measures they can adopt to protect themselves and their animals from contracting and spreading the disease,” he said.
He appealed for the co-operation of livestock owners with the veterinary health workers, to ensure the success of the exercise.
He equally advised livestock owners against selling or slaughtering any animal with visible symptoms, and to report suspected cases to any of the FCT Veterinary Clinics.
The Director Veterinary Services, Dr. Regina Adulugba, described Anthrax as a fatal disease to both animal and humans as it can be contracted through open wounds, airborne and from consuming infected animals.
“It is deadly because it is zoonotic. Zoonotic means it can affect humans and it can affect animals. So, it is dangerous, and it spreads by too many means.
“If you have a wounded skin, it can affect the wound and then infect the person, or it can spread even through the air, or it can spread from consumption of meat.
“That is why we advised them not to slaughter any sick animal for now. If an animal is sick, they should allow it to die and then we see if it is positive.
“It is safer for them as cattle owners, their children and their family, because it can affect humans and it is very deadly in humans as it is deadly in animals.” Adulugba added.
On his part, Malam Yahaya Isa, Chairman, Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), FCT Chapter, commended the FCTA for the proactive step.
Isa, who is also the Deputy National Secretary of the association, said that the move would not only protect livestock against the disease, but also save investment and human lives.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
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