Anthrax Outbreak: FMARD, Kwara Govt Train Animal Health Workers On Disease Reporting

By Lawal Merit Ifeoma 

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Kwara State Government have trained public and private animal health workers on disease reporting and the use of the National Animal Disease Information System (NADIS) software application.

The training workshop, which was held at Fresh Hotel in Ilorin, was attended by animal health experts, veterinary officers, animal health workers, and stakeholders in the animal health sector.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), Dr. Columba Teru Vakuru, said that one of the core responsibilities of veterinary officers is to ensure accurate and prompt reporting of diseases.

Dr. Vakuru explained that the workshop was sponsored by the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FDVPCS) through the REDISSE II Project, and is aimed at enhancing the capacity of veterinarians on disease reporting through the use of the NADIS software application.

"Before now, disease was being reported manually using the various NADIS forms," Dr. Vakuru said. "As part of the efforts to advance animal disease control in Nigeria, the FDVPCS with support from World Bank's REDISSE II project is deploying the NADIS App for timely collection of animal disease data across the federation. Thus, necessitating the need to organize these training sessions so as to have a smooth transition to electronic data collection."

Dr. Vakuru also emphasized the importance of timely disease reporting, saying that it is "crucial for planning and decision making by the National Veterinary Service."

The State Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Salman AbdulLateef Olugbon, while declaring the workshop open, expressed his pleasure for organizing the training, considering the recent outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighboring West African countries.

Dr. Olugbon commended the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his timely support in executing some of the programmes of the Ministry, especially the ongoing state-wide sensitization campaign on anthrax disease in the state.

In her presentation, the Head of Epidemiology Unit, State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Aminu described disease reporting as an integral part of preventing and controlling methods, with a view to avoiding disastrous consequences of its spread on both socio-economic and public health, promoting food security and ensuring a sustainable livestock industry in the country.

Dr. Aminu said that it is imperative for all stakeholders in animal health to play their roles in identifying and reporting disease cases for prompt action by relevant government agencies.