Gombe commences vaccination against trans-boundary animal diseases
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya has commenced North-East trans-boundary vaccination against animal diseases with support from Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking during the exercise in Dadin-Kowa, Yalmatu Deba LGA, Yahaya explained that the exercise was geared towards eradicating of these menaces through massive annual vaccination campaign to contain the livestock diseases and achieve herd immunity for prevention and possible eradication.
Yahaya said the diseases have high mortality rate and are easily contagious with the potential to spread rapidly, adding that it Trans-boundary diseases can cause negative socio-economic and public health consequences in the region and the nation in general.
According to him, “The targeted diseases include; contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, (CBPPV), foot and mouth disease (FMDV), Pest Des Petits Ruminants (PPRV) and Newcastle disease (ND) among others.
“Let me therefore assure you of our commitment to sustaining this campaign for general improvement of livestock production in the state and across the region.
“To reduce the impact of these diseases on our peasant pastoralist, this administration, despite scarcity of funds has procured enough vaccines and other veterinary equipment for the vaccination exercise.”
While assuring farmers of Government’s continued support, stressing that by such doing the desire to achieve food security would be rapid.
He said, “I want to assure you of our commitment to agricultural development especially the livestock sector, being one of the mainstays for livelihood and economic emancipation of our good people in the North-East Zone. Our desire is to transform the Livestock sub-sector in Gombe State.
“At this juncture, I would like commend the effort of the Federal Government through its National Livestock Transformation Plan towards controlling animal diseases across the nation. I call on all the States in the North-East Sub-region to join hands in this battle, as disease control is a collective responsibility. This synergy will go a long way in enhancing livestock production in the zone thereby improving the socio-economic status of our rural dwellers that are predominantly farmers.”
