Anthrax: Oyo Govt, FG Train 50 Surveillance Agents

The Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture over the weekend trained about 50 disease surveillance agents on accurate reporting of animal diseases in the state.

Declaring the 3-day training open in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the training was aimed at improving disease surveillance and swift response.

He said the epidemiology training was organized by the Regional Disease Surveillance Enhancement (REDISSE) Project in collaboration with the Oyo State Government.

He added that the programme wouldvhelp the prevention and control of animal diseases in the state and the nation at large.

The commissioner reiterated that though Oyo State had not recorded any case of anthrax disease so far, all hands must be on deck to prevent its outbreak.

He added that the Oyo State government had put all machineries in place to prevent its outbreak.

Barr. Olasunkanmi said: “Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde has put every measure in place in preventing the animal disease -Anthrax”.

Some of the efforts put in place, according to him, were mass media sensitization a d on-the-spot assessment to abattoirs and livestock markets in the state to educate stakeholders on the outbreak of anthrax in the country.

While expressing gratitude on behalf of Engr. Seyi Makinde to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the commissioner enjoined the participants to be attentive and focus on the assignment before them, bearing in mind that they were ambassadors for the state.

He stressed that knowledge acquired would go a long way in protecting animals and human lives from the dangers of the epidemic.

Speaking on the importance of the training, the facilitator from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Akinola, said the training of para-professional veterinarians and animal health workers in both government and private establishments in the state on how to report animal diseases was timely.

She noted: “we have been reporting diseases but the training would help on how to improve the quality of reporting”.

Mrs. Akinola added that by this, International and local partners would know the status of the disease in each state and provide necessary vaccines to prevent its spread.

“This would help protecting of animals as well as man”, according to her.

She equally hinted that most human diseases were zoonotic- which were spread from animals to humans, adding that if accurately reported, it would help enhance hygienic environment.

Dr. Akinola commended the Oyo State government for its prompt action against the disease, through various sensitisation programs, for stakeholders, especially butchers.

She also affirmed that no anthrax case had been recorded in the state.

Thanking the organizers of the training, Mr. John Fabunmi and Mrs. Aina Akinola who spoke on behalf of the participants said the training was a refresher course coming at the right time.

They promised to be active in their responsibilities to ensure animal diseases were accurately reported to avert outbreak of diseases in the state and Nigeria at large.

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E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State.
August 22, 2023.