The Kaduna State government says it would begin vaccinating animals against transboundary diseases to ensure a healthy livestock population.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ibrahim Hussaini, made this known at a stakeholders sensitisation meeting on Wednesday in Kaduna.

He said the meeting was necessary to engage stakeholders to mobilise members for efficient vaccination.

Represented by Pakachi Zakariya, director of veterinary services of the ministry, the commissioner said the programme was to eradicate common trans-border diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Pest Petit Ruminants (PPR) and poultry related diseases.

He mentioned that the vaccination would target 247,000 cattle, 51,000 poultry, 152,000 sheep and goats.

Mr Hassaini said the state had received a red alert from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the likelihood of two Avian Influenza (bird flu) diseases in four southern states and Rift Valley Fever in Niger Republic.

He, however, said the state government had provided preposition chemicals for biosecurity measures.

“From our risk assessment, the major culprit of bird flu is the live birds’ markets, so we will focus more on them and other hotspots to ensure that the virus is cordoned off.”

On Rift Valley Fever, he said it’s a zoonotic disease which could affect humans across the value chain of small remnants of Sheep and goats.

He called on the stakeholders to enlighten their members in improving their hygiene and wearing protective clothing while in contact with animals.

The chairman, National Sheep and Goat Association of Nigeria, Bala Yunusa, appreciated the state government for the meeting, saying it would increase food production, generate more revenue for farmers, and sustain a healthy environment. 

(NAN)