Anthrax: NVIR sends 50,000 doses of vaccine to Niger

The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, has sent 50,000 doses of vaccine to curb the spread of anthrax in Niger State where two cases of the disease were confirmed.

The federal government had recently announced the confirmation of the disease, which it said, was in a multi-species animal farm comprising cattle, sheep and goats located in Gajiri along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Suleja LGA of Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms, including oozing of blood from their body openings such as anus, nose, eyes and ears.

The NVRI, in reaction to the development, said it had sent vaccines to the state in order to nip in the bud the spread of the disease.

NVRI’s Executive Director, Maryam Muhammad, who disclosed this to Daily Trust, said, “Right now, we have sent 50,000 vaccines to Niger State. I know they started conducting the vaccination for herds that are around that index case.”

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While speaking  on the vaccine, the executive director warned people about the use of concocted vaccines usually sold indiscriminately in the market.

She said, “We have heard that people are now doing some concoctions and claim that they are from NVRI. I am drawing the attention of the public, especially our livestock farmers, who would like to vaccinate their animals; that they should come to Vom or to our designated laboratories around the country.

“We also have a few distributors who are veterinarians and pharmaceutical companies. We carry our vaccines and distribute them properly. They should stay away from procuring vaccines that are kept under the sun, vaccines that are being distributed on market days, vaccines distributed by people who are claiming that they are distributing on behalf of NVRI. We have registered veterinarians only whom we distribute to.”