Kajiado County has embarked on a month-long mass vaccination exercise targeting over 700,000 goats.
The exercise which will be conducted in all the five Sub-counties, will see the goats vaccinated against the Contagious Caprine Pleuro Pneumonia (CCPP) disease.
The contagious infection, which is often fatal if not treated at an early stage, is common in goats and affects their lungs. Its symptoms include difficulty in breathing, coughing, sneezing, fever, frost nasal discharge and general body weakness.
Speaking during the launch of the drive in Enkaroni Kajiado Central, Deputy Governor (DG), Martine Moshisho, noted that the vaccination exercise would help build the immunity of the animals, thus increasing their productivity, hence maximizing profits.
He said livestock keeping was the main economic activity in Kajiado and the County Government was committed to protecting the main source of livelihood of its residents.
“Livestock keeping is the economic activity of most of our people and we have an obligation to protect their main source of livelihood. The vaccine will be administered free of charge, so as not to burden farmers during this drought season,” said Moshisho.
DG urged all pastoralists to avail their animals for vaccination and treatment at designated areas, to ensure all animals are reached.
Agriculture and Livestock County Executive Committee (CECM) Member, Jackline Koin, assured that enough vaccines had been availed for the drive thus no animals should be left out.
She revealed that 4,000 dogs will also be dewormed during the exercise to curb the spread of Cerebral Coenurosis, a fatal infection that affects the central nervous system.
Koin noted that deworming is an important preventive care regime that improves the animal’s health, as it reduces internal and external parasitic infections.
“We are also targeting 4,000 dogs for deworming so as to prevent parasitic infections. We have enough vaccines for the exercise and we are urging all residents to avail their dogs and goats for vaccination and treatment so as to protect them from diseases,” she said.
The CECM further added that the ongoing drought had affected many pastoralists and vaccination of livestock against diseases, will help cushion them against more losses.
She said vaccination of livestock against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) was conducted last month with vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease set to commence soon.
“The drought has affected many livestock resulting in losses. There is not much that we can do to prevent the drought, but we can prevent animal infections by vaccinating them,” said Koin.
By Rop Janet
