Bauchi govt calls for prevention of infectious diseases transmission in livestock

Bauchi State Government on Saturday urged stakeholders to adopt preventive measures to reduce the risks of infectious diseases transmission in livestock.

Dr Ibrahim Bello, Director Veterinary Services at the state’s Ministry of Agriculture gave the advice in Bauchi on Saturday at a lecture organised by the National Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists.

“Stakeholders must do everything possible to reduce the chances of infectious diseases being spread to farms by humans, animals, equipment or vehicles.

“Animal health workers must always take preventive measures against disease transmission from animals to humans as front liners in the fight against animal diseases,’’ he said.

Dr Bello emphasised the significance of biosecurity among animal health workers either at veterinary clinics or during ambulatory services at various homes and farms.

He also called on herders, butchers and other processors to always protect themselves from animal disease transmission and to sell, buy and slaughter only healthy animals.

Earlier, Mr Lamido Muhammad, Bauchi State Chairman, Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists, said the sensitisation lecture was to keep stakeholders abreast of the outbreak of anthrax in some parts of the country.

“The lecture is necessary, especially at this time of deadly Anthrax outbreak, hence the need for animal health workers to learn preventive techniques,’’ Muhammad said.

Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax spores in the soil are very resistant and can cause diseases when ingested even years after an outbreak.

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

People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

Stakeholders in attendance were animal health workers, government officials, butchers and students, among others.