Garissa, Islamic relief in joint livestock vaccination drive

The Garissa government has launched a two-week livestock mass vaccination programme in Fafi and Balambala subcounties.

The county in partnership with the Islamic Relief Organisation launched the programme on Tuesday.

The department of livestock is providing technical staff, vehicles and vaccines, while Islamic relief will avail fuel and allowances for the teams.

The teams were flagged off by livestock chief officer Isnino Rage.

The exercise targets to inoculate more than 100,000 animals.

Last month, a similar exercise was carried out in Lagdera subcounty where more than 150 cows, goats, sheep, camels and donkeys were inoculated.

The Garissa government collaborated with Save The Children organisation.

Rage said the initiative aims to boost herd immunity and prevent cattle loss, that impact supplies in local and international markets.

“The livestock sector is the mainstay of our people and is the main source of income for more than 80 per cent of residents.

“As a county we are committed to selflessly guarding this sector by ensuring any threat is immediately addressed before the situation gets out of hand,” he said.

The chief officer urged other partners to come on board and help the county bridge the 40 per cent gap towards the national recommended target for vaccinations.

Cattle, donkeys and camels will be vaccinated against the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and anthrax, while goats will be immunised against the Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia.

PPR vaccination will also be administered to sheep and goats.

The teams will also be conducting ectoparasite control against ticks and tsetse flies.

They will also deworm the animals to control internal parasites like worms.

Present during the launch were deputy director of livestock Siyat Ogle, Islamic relief marketing officer Cornelius Mutuku and officer in charge of emergency response Ibrahim Billow.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)