Mohamed Garba
In a bid to prevent the spread of anthrax disease, the Sokoto State Ministry for Animals and Fisheries has launched a “mop-up” vaccination exercise in neighborhoods sharing borders with Zamfara State, where the disease was recently detected.
The exercise, which is free of charge, aims to cover animals that were missed during previous vaccination exercises, ensuring that 95% of the state’s cattle, sheep, and goat population receive anthrax vaccination. A team of veterinary doctors and animal scientists has been assembled to facilitate the vaccination process.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Yabo, the ministry is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease. “We urge residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the free vaccination program provided by the state government,” he said.
The ministry’s swift response to disease outbreaks in neighboring states is commendable. Recently, the federal government alerted the ministry to outbreaks of anthrax in Zamfara and bird flu in Kano, prompting the ministry to mobilize its rapid response team.
Sokoto State’s vaccination campaign against anthrax has been ongoing for three months, focusing on areas that were previously unreached. The effort aims to protect the state’s livestock population from the deadly disease.
In addition to the vaccination campaign, the state has also been exploring new technologies to improve livestock production. Last year, a team from Sokoto State attended a workshop on artificial insemination in Indonesia, where they performed exceptionally well. As a result, the state received a donation of 1,000 sermens for dairy and beef production.
The state is also proactive in preventing the spread of Avian Influenza, with the government maintaining funding for the Avian Influenza Control Project. Thanks to these efforts, Sokoto State has managed to keep the disease at bay, with no reported cases.
