The Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on Wednesday, took delivery of 500,000 doses of Anthrax vaccine towards the protection of the animal population in the state.
The vaccines were provided by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project and delivered by its National Project Coordinator, Mr. Abubakar Sanusi.
Nigeria had mid last year recorded an outbreak of anthrax, with cases reported in Niger and Lagos states.
Anthrax is a deadly zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, which mainly affects animals.
Human beings can become infected with anthrax through contact with an infected animal alive or dead as well as by inhaling spores.
The symptoms of anthrax can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing and critically infected animals have blood oozing out of their body orifices, such as the nose and anus.
Sanusi, who was welcomed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, emphasized that “This delivery is part of L-PRES’s ongoing efforts to enhance animal health services in Kogi State.”
He highlighted the critical role of vaccination in preventing the spread of anthrax and safeguarding livestock, which in turn supports the livelihoods of farmers and boosts the local economy.
The commissioner expressed profound appreciation for the delivery, acknowledging the impact such support has on the state’s agricultural sector.
Ojomah noted that the provision of the vaccine was timely and essential for the prevention of anthrax outbreaks, which pose a significant threat to livestock and public health.
He outlined the need for ongoing collaboration and resource allocation to ensure the robustness of Kogi State’s veterinary services.
In addition to the vaccine delivery, the visit of the National Project Coordinator also included the inspection of the completed cold chain storage facility and laboratory within the ministry’s complex.
“These state-of-the-art facilities are critical for the effective storage and analysis of vaccines and other veterinary supplies, ensuring that they remain potent and safe for use,” he said.
The cold chain storage facility is equipped with advanced refrigeration systems designed to maintain vaccines at optimal temperatures, while the laboratory is fitted with modern diagnostic equipment to support comprehensive animal health assessments.