County government launches massive vaccination against three animal diseases

Baringo County government through the department of Veterinary Services has mounted massive vaccination drive against three deadly livestock diseases in the area.
The month long exercise targets to vaccinate one million animals in the six sub counties which include 750,000 cows,100,000 sheep and goats and 2000 cats, dogs and donkeys.
Speaking when he launched the vaccination drive at Moigutwo area in Bartabwa ward of Baringo North sub-county, County director of Veterinary Services Dr. John Wameyo said the campaign targets to prevent Foot and Mouth, Paste Petis de Ruminaus (PPR) and Rabbies diseases which he said were deadly killers of livestock in North Rift region.
Dr. Wameyo said the vaccination exercise will be carried out in 24 designated stations by eight teams of trained personnel led by Veterinary surgeons backed by interns across the vast county.
While urging local livestock farmers to avail their animals at the designated points, the director stated that they target to vaccinate newly born calves against PPR and other animals against Foot and Mouth disease.
“We urge our farmers to take their animals to be vaccinated since the exercise sponsored by World Bank in collaboration with National and County government is free of charge,” he stressed.
He said they were conducting synchronized vaccination since the diseases are Trans-boundary in nature that spreads very fast and therefore it was imperative that it be carried out in all the affected counties.
So far, he stated, the vaccination has been completed in Wes Pokot and was going on in Turkana, Samburu and Laikipia counties where livestock production was a major economic mainstay of the pastoralist communities.
County Executive Committee (CEC) for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Richard Rotich who graced the occasion said that areas frequently hit by the infectious diseases were Baringo North, Baringo South and parts of Eldama Ravine.
“We target to inoculate about 20, 000 animals in Baringo North against Foot and Mouth disease. I urge our people to bring their animals for the vaccination because the exercise is entirely free,” Dr. Rotich announced.
He also asked the farmers to take advantage of the Veterinary doctors to seek advice on other rampant diseases citing Tiaty where camels were dying over bacterial diseases associated with dirty rainy water.
“I am making this passionate appeal because once the team is done in one place they would not revisit again and therefore does not let the golden opportunity slip away,” Dr. Rotich explained.
Dr. Rotich cautioned that failure to avail the animals for vaccination will have devastating consequences like mass deaths, closure of all livestock auction yards and sharp drop in milk production in the region.
By Felix Kipruto/Joshua Kibet