The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has donated 50,000 doses of Anthrax vaccines to the Lagos State Government in the fight against the disease.
FMARD, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations embarked on a three-day sensitisation visit to the state Ministry of Agriculture to prevent the spread the disease on Tuesday.
The team paid a courtesy visit to the permanent secretary and the Cattle Market Abattoir at Oko-oba Agege.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary of FMARD, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Deputy director, Dr AbdulKareem Durosinlorun, said the sensitisation and donation of the vaccines was part of the ministry’s efforts to contain the disease outbreak.
“As some of us are aware, there has been a confirmed outbreak of Anthrax disease in the country, in Niger and Lagos states.
“So, the essence of our visit is to create awareness and sensitisation among stakeholders in the prevention and control of diseases in Nigeria.
“We have also provided 50,000 free dosages of the Anthrax vaccine to the state in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) of the United Nations.
“The Agege Oko-oba cattle market and abattoir are one of the biggest markets in the state.
“The cattle merchants and butchers need to know the symptoms and signs of this disease so that they can immediately alert the veterinary authorities.
“We met with the permanent secretary of agriculture in the state and she has assured us that vaccination has started,” Durosinlorun said.
In her response, Mrs Ibironke Emokpae, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, appreciated FMARD’s support in curbing the spread of the Anthrax disease.
“We appreciate FMARD and the FAO and we are glad to receive 50,000 dosage of the Anthrax vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Vaccinations have begun in the state and we have set up surveillance and biosecurity at point of entries of abattoirs in Lagos to detect any ailing animal.
“We are collaborating with the Lagos Ministry of Health and promise to put in more efforts to prevent the spread of the disease,” Emokpae said.
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