The Director of Ogun State Veterinary Services, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso has announced plans to vaccinate 420,000 cattle against anthrax within the next three months. The move, Jolaoso revealed, was part of a proactive measure to prevent potential outbreaks.
Anthrax, a zoonotic disease, is transferred from animal to man and its spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals. Speaking in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State, Jolaoso said 250 cattle were vaccinated.
Jolaoso said “The state government, within the next three months, plans to vaccinate over 420,000 cattle against anthrax.
“It is not as if there is an outbreak of the disease in the state, rather the vaccination exercise is to prevent such an outbreak.
‘It is all about safeguarding the health of the animals and the general wellbeing of residents of the state.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, noted that the exercise targets migratory herders as part of efforts to prevent transboundary animal diseases and curb outbreaks that could endanger the wellbeing of livestock, herders, and the general public.
Also, the Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Ogun state, Alhaji Usman Bello, expressed optimism that the exercise will positively impact cattle and improve the general well-being of the organisation.