Haemorrhagic Septicaemia: Disease outbreak kills 2, 000 cows in Taraba 

 

An outbreak of cattle disease known as Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) has killed over 2,000 cows in Sardauna local government area of Taraba state.

A source from Sardauna LGA, Alhaji Abuba Sardauna, while speaking to journalists in Jalingo said communities mostly affected are Kwarakwara, Furmi, Mayo Ndaga and Dorofi among others.

 Haemorrhagic condition is a major disease of cattle and buffaloes characterised by an acute, highly fatal septicaemia with high morbidity and mortality.

It is caused by certain serotypes of pasteurella multocida that are geographically restricted to some areas of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and southern Europe.

Reports show that the disease was recorded in Adamawa and Taraba states in 2006, following wrong administration of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine (CBPPV) combined with black quarter vaccine BQV and administration of CBPPV respectively.

The deputy director of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Jonathan Zeku, who was in Gembu, the local government headquarters to interact with stakeholders, said the state government has deployed veterinary officers to various communities in the locality to tackle the disease.

He solicited support from the people to enable them treat and vaccinate the cows.

He stated that Governor Agbu Kefas took immediate steps to tackle the outbreak in line with his administration’s commitment to improve the lives of the people and their investments.

Mr Zeku added that the assignments are in two phases, which include treatment and vaccination of the cows to prevent further spread of the disease.

In his comments, the chairman of Sardauna local government, Mohammed Umar, appreciated the state government for its continuous support for the people at the grassroots.

Represented by his chief of staff, Salihu Yerima, the chairman appreciated Governor Kefas for his quick response to the outbreak, assuring that the council would give the team maximum support to succeed.

On his part, the Sarkin Fulani, Sardauna local government area, Saidu Bawa, applauded Mr Kefas’s leadership style that has impacted positively on the lives of the people.