The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has successfully contained an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) reported at a farm in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State, as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard livestock health in Nigeria.
An eight-member rapid response team, led by Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit and National Coordinator of the FMD Control Programme, was immediately deployed to the affected site. The team included specialists from the Ministry, the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, and the Jigawa State Livestock Development Department, supported by Miyetti Allah representatives and local community animal health workers.
Outbreak Impact and Response Measures
The outbreak affected 34 cattle, with six confirmed deaths. Laboratory samples have been collected to determine the strain of the FMD virus, a crucial step toward targeted containment and future prevention.
In response, the Ministry has initiated Ring vaccination campaigns around the affected areas, public sensitisation drives to educate livestock owners on prevention and surveillance measures to monitor potential spread.
Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin emphasized that the intervention aligns with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), both of which underscore the importance of animal health, food security, and rural livelihoods.
“Livestock owners should vaccinate their herds every six months and report any unusual symptoms immediately to veterinary authorities,” he advised.
NVRI and State Support for Long-Term Control
Dr. Hussain Ularamu, Head of the FMD Division at NVRI, stressed the need for consistent record-keeping and prompt disease reporting, noting that NVRI remains dedicated to vaccine production, diagnostic services, and capacity building for frontline animal health professionals.
Farm owners and Miyetti Allah leaders in Birnin Kudu praised the Ministry’s swift response and pledged continued collaboration to prevent future outbreaks.
Jigawa State Commits to Ongoing Surveillance and Vaccination
Professor Salem Abdurrahman, Jigawa State Commissioner for Livestock Development, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing Annual FMD vaccination programs, Enhanced surveillance systems for early detection and Rapid response protocols to contain future outbreaks swiftly.
