The Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan in North Bank Region recently concluded a two-week vaccination campaign on African horse sickness in the communities of Maida, Brikama and Kerr Katim Fulla in Baddibu Central District in response to an outbreak of horse sickness.

The vaccination campaign which commenced on 13th February is aimed at providing treatment to horses in the area to prevent and control the outbreak. Speaking to the Daily Observer in Kerewan during the start of the campaign, Alphu J Marong, the Regional Agricultural Services Directorate in NBR, underscored the importance government attaches to prevention of livestock from all form of diseases and enhance the attainment of animal health. He noted that timely control of disease is vital to animal health, improve, significantly contribute to food security and increase productivity on the use of draft animals.

Momodou Darboe, the Regional Veterinary Officer noted that the campaign would control African horse sickness which is among trans-boundary animal and transmissible diseases, adding that the campaign would help to halt the spread of the diseases. Darboe said the campaign came as a result of series of horse sicknesses in the border villages in Central Baddibu and that, the Department of Veterinary Services in partnership with the Regional Agricultural Office have designed a comprehensive campaign strategy to enhance population of livestock and draft animals in the border villages. He said trans-boundary animal diseases are of major importance to international trade of animals, animal products and may have serious socio-economic or public health consequences on the people.

He launched an appeal to farmers in the area to continue to serve as watchdogs of the outbreak of animal diseases to the livestock officers in the area are sold and bought at various weekly markets locally called Lumos, with objective of providing food security at household levels. The NBR Livestock boss disclosed that the vaccination teams will be visiting all the villages in the region and urged district authorities; chiefs, alkalolu and livestock farmers to continue to be supportive, as his office plans to vaccinating over 1500 horses and donkeys.  

Babukary Ndow, Livestock field officer in the area called for concerted efforts of all and sundry to support the Department of Livestock Services in this noble crusade to combat the spread of diseases and by extension contribute to poverty reduction. He assured all livestock farmers of government’s commitment to ensure that essential drugs and vaccines are available for the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of farmers, Ngatam Sowe and Juma Bah of Maida and Brikama in the Central Baddibu respectively, expressed gratitude to government for their timely intervention in addressing the situation, noting the delay would lead to poor health and low productivity in the coming 2010 – 2011 farming season. The farmers hailed the efforts of staff of the Regional Agricultural Office for their invaluable contribution towards protecting and building their knowledge on how to effectively handle these diseases. They expressed the need for the Agric staff to continue embarking on vigorous campaigns to sensitise the public on animals’ diseases and how it can be prevented.