The Jigawa Government says it has targetted 1.6 million animals for vaccination against zoonosis across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Dr Abdullahi Haruna, Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday.
He said the ministry planned to achieve 80 per cent coverage during the two-week exercise which began on March 14.
According to him, the ministry is targeting 820,000 cattle, 300,000 goats and sheep, 250,000 birds and 3,000 dogs in the exercise.
“Cattle will be immunise against Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) and other related diseases, while sheep and goats would be inoculated against Peste de Petites Prominante (PPR).
“Dogs are to be vaccinated against Rabies while the chicken against New Castle Disease (NCD),” he said.
He said the state with the support of the federal government had provided adequate vaccines and other items to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.
The director said the ministry had embarked on awareness creation activities to mobilise participation in the exercise, and urged livestock farmers to present their animals for vaccination to protect them against diseases.
“The Minister of Agriculture is expected to inaugurate the International Joint Vaccination exercise on March 29, at Maigatari, a border settlement with Niger Republic.
“Over 20,000 animals are expected to be vaccinated in Maigatari, Kaugama and Gumel LGAs of Jigawa, as well as Zinder Region of Niger Republic.
“This is imperative in view of the existing five cattle routes used by pastoralists both in Nigeria and Niger Republic.
“It will prevent spread of animal diseases from either of the countries,” he said.(NAN)
