The Statewide Vaccination Against Anthrax Disease was flagged off today by the Hon Commissioner for Livestock Development Imo State, Dr Tony Mgbeahuruike.
The Hon Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Tony Mgbeahuruike flagged off the mass vaccination of all grazing animals in the state today, the 14th of September, 2023.
Anthrax which is a zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterial organism, Bacillus anthracis, has been ravaging the countries in the West African Subregion since this year, 2023.
The disease which was first reported in Ghana was reported in Niger State of Nigeria, and from there it got into Plateau State, Kogi and Lagos states.
The governor of Imo state, in his proactive nature quickly formed a state taskforce ( Imo State Taskforce on Emergent Public Health Diseases) comprising experts from different areas of expertise and this taskforce is chaired by our Erudite Professor Maurice Iwu.
The task force went into planning and the result of the planning work led to this flag ceremony today.
The flag-off ceremony which started with a road rally around the state on the 13th of September, 2023 was observed by all the Veterinary doctors in the state, members of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and all the staff of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
During the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner appreciated the Governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State for approving the mass vaccination of animals in the state against anthrax disease.
The commissioner, while appreciating the governor for his proactive response, outlined some of the strategies put in place by the state team on anthrax prevention and control.
According to the commissioner, the state team has intensified meat inspection in all the abattoirs in the state, and they have mounted serious surveillance on all the animals coming into the state at different entry points around the state.
Other things which the team has done include public awareness programmes including the production of anthrax awareness jingles, press conferences on anthrax awareness, radio interviews and others.
The commissioner also stated that the traditional rulers of different communities including their President generals have been sensitized on this outbreak, and churches and other community-based organizations (CBOs) have also been sensitized.
The commissioner also mentioned that other stakeholders in livestock businesses like the Miyetti Allah people, livestock traders and farmers were sensitized before the flag-off.
The event which was held at the Family Support Park (FSP) at Mbari Owerri, Imo State was well attended by all the stakeholders in the livestock business, including the Press.
The flag-off was conducted by the Hon Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Tony Mgbeahuruike on behalf of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma who was unavoidably absent due to other serious engagements.
0 Comments