Nigeria Announce Containment of FMD Outbreak in Jigawa State

News in Brief:

-Nigeria's livestock ministry has announced the successful containment of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Jigawa State.

-It deployed experts for vaccination and laboratory analysis to support national strategies for livestock health and food security.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has moved quickly to contain an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a commercial farm in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State. An eight-man rapid response team led by Dr Adeniyi Adedoyin, Coordinator of the National Programme for the Control of FMD, was deployed to prevent further spread across the region.

The team included experts from the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) and officers from the Jigawa State Livestock Development Department.

Containment Measures and Findings

Upon arrival, the team inspected Mallam Alu Agro-Allied Company Limited's grounds, where 34 animals had shown clinical signs of FMD, and six deaths were recorded. They collected samples for laboratory analysis to determine the strain of the virus. The ministry has since begun a ring vaccination campaign in and around the affected area to prevent further infections.

“This vaccination campaign underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding the nation’s livestock economy,” said Dr Adedoyin.

Understanding Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the world’s most contagious livestock diseases, spreading through direct contact or contaminated feed, water, or surfaces. It causes blisters on the mouth and hooves, excessive salivation, lameness, and loss of appetite, symptoms that drastically reduce meat and milk yield, threatening farmers’ incomes.

The disease has particularly high mortality rates among young calves and can devastate livestock-based economies if left unchecked.

Long-Term Strategy for Livestock Health

Dr Adedoyin highlighted that the intervention aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which prioritise food security, animal health, and rural livelihoods.

He urged farmers and veterinary officers to ensure early reporting of suspicious cases to enable rapid containment.

“Nigeria is FMD-endemic, so we recommend that vaccination be done every six months to keep animals protected and productive,” he added.