Adamawa State government has commenced a mass vaccination exercise targeted at 1.5 million animals against bovine pleuropneumonia and the peste des petits ruminants endemic diseases, associated with cross-border migration.
Over 3 million animals cross over yearly from neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, exposing cows, goats and sheep to common diseases in the state.
Performing the exercise in Girei, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said, the exercise was to ensure meat hygiene in the state.
Fintiri pointed out that his administration is poised to accord priority to the sector to achieve the multiple benefits in the livestock and diary business.
He said the vaccine was necessary to tame the diseases affecting animals thereby enhancing public health.
The governor called on critical stakeholders in the livestock industry to ensure the success of the vaccination and also made a case for sustained peace throughout the harvest period in the state.
Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture Development, Tijjani Maksha, said the vaccine was necessary as the viruses are classified as diseases of socioeconomic significance by the World Organisation of Animal Health stressing that the disease affects livestock-dependent people’s culture, economy, trade and nutrition.
