Yobe targets 7m livestock for anthrax vaccination

By Bala Dauda, Damaturu

Yobe government says it targets 7 million livestock for vaccination against anthrax in four local government areas bordering Niger republic.

The council areas are Machina, Yusufari, Yunusari and Geidam.

Dr Yusuf Maina, Director, Veterinary Services, at the Yobe Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this at the flagg-off of the programme in Damaturu.

He listed the animals to include camels, cattle, sheep and goats.

He said the vaccination was advised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Maina explained that the federal ministry advised all states sharing borders with other countries to take steps to prevent the outbreak of anthrax as livestock were moved across borders.

He called on the people in the areas to take advantage of the exercise and vaccinate their livestock.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.

It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals.