Veterinary officials in Adamawa State have commenced a large-scale vaccination campaign for cattle in several local government areas following the outbreak of a deadly disease that claimed the lives of over 1,000 cows in neighbouring Taraba State.

The vaccination initiative, which began over the weekend, is specifically targeting areas that share borders with Taraba State and the Republic of Cameroon, after the disease, identified as haemorrhagic septicemia, swept through Taraba, killing a significant number of livestock.

The Commissioner for Livestock and Aquaculture in Adamawa State, Tijjani Marksha, led a team of officials and veterinary doctors to Gongoshi, located in Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, to officially launch the vaccination drive.

During the event, Marksha recounted that the outbreak of the highly contagious disease, which primarily affects cattle, originated in Sardauna Local Government Area in Taraba State.

It has since spread to several other local government areas in Taraba, leading to an alarming number of cattle deaths.

To safeguard the livestock within Adamawa State, the Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture has taken proactive measures by mobilizing all divisional veterinary officers and other relevant personnel to remain on high alert.

The ministry has also initiated an urgent mass vaccination exercise aimed at preventing the spread of the disease into Adamawa’s territory.

The Director of Veterinary Services in Adamawa, Dr Berthilimous Nyalas, revealed that the vaccination campaign will first focus on nine local government areas that are most at risk due to their proximity to Taraba and the Cameroon Republic.

These areas include Numan, Demsa, Lamurde, Toungo, Fufore, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Mayo Belwa, where the vaccination program has already commenced.

Dr Nyalas explained that the selection of these specific LGAs for the first phase of the vaccination was strategic, as their geographical location makes them vulnerable to the spread of diseases from both neighbouring Taraba and Cameroon.

By prioritizing these border areas, the state government hopes to prevent an outbreak of haemorrhagic septicemia within Adamawa.

In a gesture of gratitude, Ardo Abfu Gajere, a leader representing the cattle owners in Gonhoshi, thanked the government on behalf of other livestock owners.

He noted that this vaccination initiative marks the first time the state government has proactively launched such a program without the cattle owners having to formally request assistance.

This, he said, demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting the livelihoods of herders and ensuring the health of the state’s cattle population.

The mass vaccination effort underscores Adamawa State’s determination to curb the spread of the disease before it becomes a crisis within its borders, reflecting a coordinated approach to disease prevention in the livestock sector.