Ministry Targets Tsetse Fly As Livestock Losses Rise

Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced a coordinated intervention to curb the spread of tsetse fly and other ectoparasites affecting cattle in Taraba and Sokoto States, as part of efforts to boost livestock health and productivity nationwide.

The exercise, which began yesterday, involved the spraying of insecticides on cattle and strategic locations to reduce disease vectors and limit the spread of livestock infections.

Leading the intervention in Jalingo, Taraba State, the State Coordinator and Federal Epidemiology Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Yarai, said the first phase of the programme covers Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau and Wukari local government areas, with plans to extend the exercise to the remaining 12 LGAs for full statewide coverage.

Dr. Yarai explained that tsetse fly transmits trypanosomiasis, a disease endemic in Africa that causes severe economic losses to livestock farmers.

According to him, the disease attacks the blood and lymphatic systems of animals, leading to fever, weight loss, anaemia, paralysis and, in severe cases, death.

He added that while most cattle breeds are susceptible, West African N’dama cattle possess natural tolerance to the disease.

He noted that the intervention also includes the deployment of biconical traps in strategic locations to sustain control efforts beyond the initial spraying.

In Sokoto State, the ministry’s coordinator, Dr. Umar Tukur Argungu, said farmers assisted officials in identifying grazing areas with high tsetse fly prevalence, adding that traps would be installed in affected locations to confirm and address the infestation.

He disclosed that the team visited major livestock markets, including Kasuwan Kara in Sokoto North and Bodinga local government areas, where engagements were held with farmers and traders.

Dr. Argungu said concerns raised during the visits would be documented and forwarded for consideration in future government interventions.

Also speaking, the director of Veterinary Services at the Sokoto State Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Alhaji Abubakar Maidabo, urged farmers to promptly report disease outbreaks, warning that some livestock diseases are zoonotic and pose risks to human health.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Cattle Traders Association in Sokoto State, Alhaji Bashir Bello, said traders recorded heavy losses during the last rainy season due to skin rashes linked to tsetse fly infestation.

He noted that the challenge affects all 23 local government areas of the state, particularly around Hurumi and Fadama zones between Sokoto South and Wamakko.

Bello also identified foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) as other major challenges facing livestock farmers and assured that the association would ensure timely reporting of outbreaks to enable swift government intervention.