Outbreak of haemorrhagic septicaemia kills several cows on Taraba

Several herds of cattles have died following an outbreak of cow disease in Taraba State.

The incident occurred last week in some rural communities of Sardauna Local Government Area.

The communities include Dorofi, Kwarakwara, Furmi, and Mayo-Ngada, among others.

The cow disease which is currently cutting short the lives of cattles in the area, as identified by some veterinary officers, is haemorrhagic septicaemia.

Confirming the incident during the weekend, in Jalingo, the state capital, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver, said the state government has deployed veterinary officers to various communities in the local government to contain the cow disease.

The commissioner who said efforts are ongoing to arrest the situation, sought support from the people to enable the

veterinary officers deployed to the affected communities treat and vaccinate the cows.

He added that the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has taken bold steps in order to prevent the disease from spreading to neighbouring communities.

Also commenting on the outbreak, the LG chairman, Salihu Yerima, applauded the governor’s quick response, reiterating the commitment of the council to create an enabling environment for the vaccination team to carry out their assignment.

On his part, the Sarkin Fulani of the council, Alhaji Saidu Bawa, who could not give the exact numbers of cows that have been killed as a result of the outbreak, said over a thousand cows have so far been killed by the disease.

Also speaking on the matter, the first class traditional ruler of the area, Audu Shehu Baju, added that before now he has notified the state government and the National Veterinary Centre of the outbreak.

The chief, who praised the governor’s swift intervention, passionately called on the relevant authorities to extend some palliatives to the owners of the affected cows.

Some of the affected herders, who spoke with our correspondent, pleaded with the state government to as a matter of urgency come to their aid by providing succour to cushion the negative effects of the disaster.