In response to the recent anthrax outbreak in Zamfara State, the Rivers State Government has launched a statewide vaccination campaign to protect livestock from the deadly disease.

The campaign, which will run from February 10 to 17, aimed to vaccinate all livestock in the state and prevent the spread of anthrax.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, the vaccination exercise is a critical measure to ensure food safety and security in the state.
He said: “The twin goals of food safety and security are a shared responsibility, and we urge all livestock farmers to collaborate with our veterinary doctors to make this campaign a success.”

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that affects animals and humans and can be spread through direct contact, consumption of infected meat or products, or inhalation of spores.

The disease has been reported in Niger State and Zamfara State, prompting the Rivers State Government to take proactive measures to prevent its spread.
Kii noted that the Ministry of Agriculture will provide anthrax spores vaccines in all 23 local government areas of the state.

He advised livestock farmers to take advantage of the vaccination exercise and to be vigilant for symptoms of anthrax in their animals, which include high fever, weakness, bleeding from body openings, and difficulty in breathing.

He also urged the general public to exercise caution when buying animals, by observing livestock for signs of illness before slaughter, avoiding contact with meat or animal by-products from sick or dead animals, and reporting any incidence of sudden death of animals to the Ministry of Agriculture and the veterinary department.

He added that the Ministry is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the outbreak is prevented from the borders of Rivers State.