(ERGO) – More than one million animals have been vaccinated ina mass livestock immunisation campaign that concluded last week in Somalia’s central Galgadud region.
The vaccinations started in villages on the outskirts of Dhusamareb, Adado, Abudwak, Guri’el, and El-Bur towns, amid an outbreak of sheep measles (Cysticercusovis) and sheep and goat pox (SGP).
According to Dr Suleiman Mohamed Salah, head of Central Regional Livestock Professionals Association (CERALPA), which is conducting the vaccinations, 20 workers including veterinarians and other staff were deployed in villages and remote areas to vaccinate the livestock.
The exercise has been running for two months.
Dr Salah told Radio Ergo an assessment conducted in mid-2018 confirmed that over 100goats were infected by the disease. The campaign supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was organized in a quick response in the areas surveyed.
“The vaccinations will protect the livestock from disease and cushion pastoralists from economic losses through sickness and death of their livestock,” Dr Salah stated.
The teams targeted 20 villages and met with 8,000 families in those villages, whose animals were vaccinated.
Livestock remains the mainstay of most Somali families. According to FAO, Somalia exported an estimated 5.3 million live animals mainly to the Gulf region in 2014 earning the country $384 million.
However, recurrent export restrictions, especially to Saudi Arabia over disease concerns, have adversely affected livestock exports to the traditional market.
Abdirahman Barre Mohamed, who lives in Dariye-Hassan village, some 35km north of Guriel town, said the vaccination campaign had given him assurance that his livestock is safe.
“Even the sick livestock recovered after they were vaccinated. We are keen about getting hold of livestock drugs and we welcome this move as it helps us to get healthy animals,” he said.
Omar ShidaneAbdulle, in Labi-arag village, 15km east of Guriel town, said 18 of his 150 animals had died of measles. He was also happy to have the remaining livestock protected through vaccination.
