The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners has launched annual anthrax vaccination campaign to support the Government of Ghana to combat the spread of the virus in the country.
The vaccine campaign exercise is expected to cover all animals across the country.
Speaking at the launching ceremony at Kpalung in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region on Wednesday April 17, 2024, the USAID/Ghana Mission Director Kimberly Rosen said Anthrax is not only a threat to human life nor destroys livestock, but it also a threat to economic prosperity and food security.
She said globally, the vast majority (representing 75%) of emerging infectious disease threats originate from animals adding this coincides with an increasing number of people around the world who are living in proximity to animals due to deforestation, climate change and a variety of other factors.
The USAID Mission Director observed that, livestock like cattle, sheep and goats have a high risk of transmission of the disease to humans therefore should be prioritized for vaccination.
She indicated that the USAID is partnering with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to provide technical support for the vaccination campaign and monitor its roll out across Northern Ghana.
“We are also funding the USAID Accelerating Social and Behavior Change Project to create awareness of the need for vaccinating animals”, she added.
Madam Kimberly Rosen, in her remarks also stated that, “in addition to our support for exercises like this vaccination campaign, this year USAID is investing in the joint external evaluation of Ghana’s international health regulations capacity. This important periodic assessment will tell us how prepared we are for major public health emergencies, and what precautions to take”.
The USAID Mission Director while commending the Government of Ghana for his quick response during the outbreak in the Upper West region in May last year, also urged the government and other partners to sustain their support to make this vaccine campaign exercise and future campaigns a success.
“We must strengthen our prevention and response systems to protect our human, environmental, and animal health”, she said.
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), after a successful launched of the annual anthrax vaccination campaign, also presented a hundred thousand (100,000) doses of anthrax vaccines in support of the government of Ghana to roll out the campaign across the region.
In his remarks, the National Veterinary Officer Dr Emmanuel Cudjoe, whose speech was read on his behalf said, through the implementation of this anthrax vaccination campaign, we are taking proactive steps to protect our livestock and prevent the spread of this devastating disease. Each vaccine administered represents a shield of protection and a barrier against the ravages of anthrax.
He said, “the success of this campaign relies not only on the vaccines we distribute but also on the collective effort and dedication of every individual involved”, he added.
The Northern Regional Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Evans Nsoh, speaking to the media after the launch thanked the USAID and other development partners for coming out with such an initiative to improve animal health in the country.
Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana
