FG destroys materials infected with cow disease

The Nigerian Veterinary Services evacuated all RVCMs at National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, to Pan-African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (PANVAC) based at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia for destruction. A search for RVCMs was carried out at all 11 Veterinary Faculties in Nigerian Universities to ascertain the actual status of rinderpest  in these faculties. Rinderpest, a deadly […]

The Nigerian Veterinary Services evacuated all RVCMs at National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, to Pan-African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (PANVAC) based at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia for destruction.

A search for RVCMs was carried out at all 11 Veterinary Faculties in Nigerian Universities to ascertain the actual status of rinderpest  in these faculties.

Rinderpest, a deadly disease was globally eradicated in 2011 after hundreds of years of recurring devastating pandemics. It is pertinent to note that the disease and smallpox in human are the only diseases that have been successfully eradicated throughout the world.

To avoid an escape of this dangerous cattle disease virus into the livestock population that could lead to another devastating pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with PANVAC, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), carried out a safe destruction of RVCMs at the NVRI, Vom, Plateau State.

In his address at the destruction of the RVCMs, the Director Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Olaniran Alabi, said the event marks the end of rinderpest disease in the country.

“The exercise being carried out today marks the successful conclusion of a process that began on November 14, 2017. Nigeria had earlier fulfilled all requisite conditions, and was declared free from rinderpest on May 27, 2010, by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) with the disease being declared globally eradicated in May 2010,” he said.

He said that after some search, it was learnt that some RVCMs was discovered in University of Maiduguri. With this discovery, the Department contacted relevant organization and agencies such as OIE, FAO and PANVAC for the purpose of working out modalities on the best way to safely handle the materials.

“Various options were considered leading to the eventual mutual decision for an in-country destruction of the discovered RVCMs at the NVRI. That is why we are here today,” he added.