According to Thisday, bout 200 cattle in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been infected with the foot and mouth disease.
The Veterinary Officer of the local government, Malam Adamu Abdu Jibrin, who stated this on Thursday while speaking to journalists in Toro, described the disease as highly contagious among cattle especially where they access water.
He said: “The foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infectious disease of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It can also affect wild animals, especially buffalo, which act as a significant hosts and in which the disease is generally much milder than in cattle.
“The virus can be harboured for periods in the nasopharynx of wild fauna (respiratory system of the body). The importance of the disease in small stock such as sheep and goats is largely as carriers of disease to cattle.”
“The disease is mainly transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of
the virus from contaminated feeds and direct contact with infected animals.
“Human can also transfer infection to other animals through movement of people and vehicles from an infected premises to susceptible areas.”
The veterinary officer said the incubation period is on average three to eight days after the animals are infected with virus, adding that infected animals would the discharge the virus through the saliva, rupture of vesicles and blisters on the tongue and feet.
Adamu, who advised the people of the area to be vigilant, said the disease can also affect human beings who might come in close contact with infected animals.
He therefore called on the state government to urgently take the necessary measure to avert the spread of the disease.
On Bird Flu, Adamu said about 50 birds are so far killed in the area within one month.
He urged farmers to report any case of ill health in poultry and ensure high level of hygiene while handling poultry products.
According to him the outbreak of the disease was confirmed in 17 states that include Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Gombe States.
