NVMA Urges Nigerian Government to Declare State of Emergency in Animal Health Sector

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) is urging the Federal Government to take immediate action and declare a state of emergency in the animal health sector to tackle the growing outbreak of anthrax and other zoonotic diseases. The call comes following an anthrax outbreak in the West Africa sub-region of Northern Ghana, which shares borders with Burkina Faso and Togo, as well as Niger State in Nigeria.

Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can affect both animals and humans. The bacteria, commonly found in the soil, primarily infects wild and domestic animals such as goats, cattle, and sheep. Symptoms of anthrax vary depending on the mode of infection and can include skin sores, vomiting, and shock.

The recent reported case of anthrax on a farm in Suleja, Niger State has raised concerns among veterinary experts. Consequently, the NVMA is specifically calling for the vaccination of animals in the 17 border states affected by the anthrax outbreak. Some of these states include Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Cross River, which all share borders with neighboring countries or regions.

In addition to vaccination, the NVMA is advocating for a significant increase in the employment of veterinary doctors across the country to ensure effective disease detection, prevention, and control. The association believes that employing more veterinary doctors will greatly enhance the ability to combat outbreaks and protect both animals and humans.

"If the government truly desires to protect lives and property, it must prioritize the employment of veterinary doctors for disease detection, prevention, and control," said Olutoyin Adetuberu, the national president of the NVMA.

Ifeanyi Ogbu, the chairman of the NVMA's FCT chapter, has also called for the establishment of government-owned veterinary clinics at the local government level. This would help improve accessibility and affordability of veterinary services, as many individuals cannot afford private veterinary clinics due to high charges. With accessible veterinary clinics, disease reporting and sample collection would be made easier, contributing to a more effective disease control system.

The NVMA is emphasizing the importance of proactive measures when it comes to animal health. They believe that waiting until diseases strike the population is a sign of a failed state. By implementing the recommendations put forth by the NVMA, the government can take significant strides in safeguarding the animal population, the public, and the nation as a whole.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-07-25 News

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