Kaugama LGA vaccinates 3,105 animals against pulmonary disease

Kaugama Local Government Area in Jigawa State has begun vaccinating 3,105 domestic animals against pulmonary disease, the Punch reported on Sunday.

The vaccination exercise was flagged off on Saturday, the report said, and targets animals in three affected communities: Cumbuleske, Ganuwa and Rigar Kwagga.

According to Nasir Ibrahim, head of the department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Kaugama LGA, the intervention covers 2,045 cows and 1,060 sheep and goats. Ibrahim told the Punch the local government procured vaccines and other logistics for the campaign.

Ibrahim described the illness as often caused by bacterial pneumonia secondary to viral infections, which can lead to breathing difficulty and coughing in animals. He also cited parasites such as lungworms and environmental toxic factors including herbicide toxicity as possible causes of severe lung damage in livestock.

The head of department said the scheme will be conducted across all affected communities in the area and that the council will continue to monitor the situation, extending vaccination to other communities if necessary.

Local livestock stakeholders welcomed the campaign. Sha’aibu Adamu, chairman of the Kautal-Hore Association in the area, commended the council for responding quickly after receiving reports of the outbreak from herders.

Several beneficiaries told the Punch the vaccination came at the right time. Umaru Bello said, “Many of our cows were coughing and struggling to breathe; we thank the local government for bringing this vaccine to our community.” Another beneficiary, Maigari Alto, said the exercise will reduce losses among pastoralists. “We have lost some animals before this exercise; this vaccination will help us protect the remaining ones,” he said.

The local government intends to carry out the campaign across affected communities and keep surveillance on livestock health to prevent further spread of the disease, the report added.

Further details, including the vaccine type used and the timeline for completion of the campaign, were not provided in the Punch report.