Yobe targets 7 million livestock for vaccination against Anthrax
By Hamisu Ado Nguru
In a bid to safeguard both its citizens and the thriving livestock economy, the Yobe State Government has initiated a massive livestock vaccination campaign to protect against the deadly anthrax disease.
The state’s Governor, Mai Mala Buni, officially inaugurated the campaign at Kukareta Village, Damaturu, Local Government Area, emphasizing the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent outbreaks.
Anthrax, a disease that affects both humans and animals, poses a significant risk to public health and the livestock industry.
By vaccinating livestock, the state aims to ensure the well-being of its people and protect the livelihoods of farmers.
To support this ambitious endeavor, the Yobe Government has procured 1,500,000 doses of the Anthrax Sterne Vaccine (ASV) to facilitate the vaccination of approximately 7,000,000 livestock across all 17 Local Government Areas.
The timing of the vaccination campaign is particularly crucial, as the rainy season sees a higher rate of movement of pastoralists, making livestock more susceptible to the spread of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TADs).
Governor Mai Mala Buni highlighted Yobe’s significant livestock population, positioning the state as one of the leading states in the country concerning livestock numbers.
He stressed that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, including Veterinary Doctors, animal health workers, and other relevant parties, to work diligently and ensure comprehensive coverage of all regions during this statewide exercise.
