From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Alhaji Saidu Maikano Adamu
At least no fewer than 2,000 cows have been killed in some states of Nigeria in the past two months, courtesy of mycoplasma Mycoides bacteria, a disease that causes inflammation and enlargement of the lungs.
Speaking on phone to our Correspondent about the outbreak of the disease in Bauchi the FCT, Yobe, the National President, Jonde Jam Fulani Youths Association of Nigeria ,Alh Saidu Maikano Adamu, who confirmed the outbreak and spread of the disease, urged herders across the affected states to avails themselves of the assistance of veterinary doctors before it becomes an epidemic.
According to him, Bauchi state has recorded the highest rate of prevalence with almost all the local governments affected and at least over 1,000 cows dying from the disease within two months as reported .
Adamu frowned at the situation and called on assistance by government through vaccination.
“In FCT, many cows were killed and the disease is fast spreading across those areas that are affected.
“My fear is that if nothing is done fast, it will escalate to Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba States and most of the neighbouring states”, Adamu said.
He pointed out that CBPP is an infectious cattle disease of cattle and called for urgent interventions of governments through a nationwide vacation of cows to curtail the the spread.
He said: “The inflammation can lead to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity and destruction of lung tissue. The damaged areas of the lung are often hardened interfering with effective breathing, leading to death of cattle from lack of oxygen.
“It is spread through the inhalation of airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing animals.
“It is a disease that if not checked immediately in few years time more than half of cows belonging to Jonde Jam members will perish.
“Surprisingly when such epidemic occurs, you can hardly find the states or Federal Governments coming to the aid of the herders.
“All the area councils in FCT have been affected, particularly in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), there is a problem at the moment in Takushara community where some cows were lost.
“In Gwagwalada, we discovered that over 100 cows died of this disease. In Kwali about 20 died and in Kuje, we lost about 15, in Bwali about 10 cows were also killed in a community called Tunape and some were also killed in Abaji.
“The disease is affecting neighbouring communities gradually, so very soon you will hear the spread in Nasarawa and most neighbouring states if nothing is done by the Federal Government and state governments.
“So, we call on the Federal and state governments to come up with vaccination plan to check the spread of this disease and to come up with palliatives for those families that have been affected by this diseases and other crises.”
The President described the current outbreak of the disease as a misfortune too many as their “members are still suffering a vicious cycle of poverty due to insurgency in the northeast.
He said cattle rustling, banditry and kidnapping among others have reduced their members to beggars and emphasised that till date they are yet to receive serious interventions from governments for the affected members.
According to him, in spite of these crises and epidemic, none of the association members that lost their means of livelihood have enjoyed any form of palliatives from government or serious vaccination to their cows.
“Jonde Jam has been consistent for almost three years because in the last two years, Yobe alone lost about 5,000 cows to this disease and sometimes when it happens, you discover a family losing their entire cows.
“The pastoralists have been dealing with cows throughout their lives, they know what to do when such things happen traditionally and medically by contacting the veterinary doctors.
“But when the outbreak happens as it has done, it becomes so serious for them to curtail, they will just be seat and watch their cows dye because if you look at the spread of the disease right now, the rate is high.”
