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The Rivers State Government said it would begin a one-week vaccination of livestock across the 23 local government areas of the state following suspected cases of anthrax disease, popularly known as bird flu.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and sent to newsmen.
Recall that the Commissioner, in a statement on January 21st, confirmed a suspected outbreak of the disease in a 3000-capacity poultry farm in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor local government of the state, whereby the place was ‘quarantined’, the affected birds ‘depopulated’ and premises decontaminated.
Kii explained that the vaccination is aimed at preventing any Anthrax disease in the state, pointing out that the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has already approved the campaign.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture is to embark on a state-wide vaccination of livestock in Rivers State from February 10 to February 17 across the state following the recent outbreak of anthrax disease in Zamfara State.
“In line with Governor Siminalaiyi Fubara’s policy on food security and food safety in Rivers State, His Excellency has directed and approved the flag-off of a statewide vaccination campaign to prevent any case of Anthrax disease in the state.
“This is consequent on the fact that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has recently confirmed an outbreak of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State and Zamfara State.
“The State Ministry of Agriculture is to immediately implement the vaccination exercise of all livestock farms in the state and to enlighten the public about this development.”
While noting that Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that affects animals and humans and can be spread through direct contact, consumption of infected meat or products, or inhalation of spores, the ministry said the twin goals of food safety and security is a shared responsibility, and all livestock farmers in the state must collaborate with the veterinary doctors of the Ministry of Agriculture for the vaccination.
It added, “The Ministry of Agriculture, amongst other things, is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the outbreak is prevented from the borders of Rivers State.
“The public, especially livestock farmers involved in the rearing and sale of sheep, goats, pigs, cows, etc., are invited to take advantage of this vaccination by ensuring that the livestock on their farms are vaccinated with the anthrax Spores vaccines provided in all 23 LGAs of Rivers State.”
Kii urged the farmers to pay close attention to the symptoms of animals, which include high fever, weakness, bleeding from body openings, and difficulty breathing.
The commissioner further urged the general public to exercise caution when buying animals by observing livestock for signs of illness before slaughter, avoiding contact with meat or animal by-products from sick or dead animals, and reporting any incidence of sudden death of animals to the Ministry of Agriculture and the veterinary department.
“While we enjoin all to exercise caution, we also request reporting of any suspected cases of Anthrax to the State Ministry of Agriculture,” he added.
