Veterinary authorities in Kodok of Fashoda County in Upper Nile State have announced the start of a massive animal vaccination.
The campaign that started on Tuesday aims at preventing animal diseases transmitted through floodwaters.
The Fashoda Animal Resources Department County Director, Dr Younis Jago Otum, told Radio Tamazuj the campaign targets 25,000 head of cattle, 10,000 goats and sheep, and about 500 dogs.
Otum pointed out that the efforts come within the framework of a cooperation between the State Animal Resources Department, the county, and FAO. He disclosed that the campaign would last 10 days.
The Fashoda County Pastoralists Union Chairman, Akoj Nyawela, expressed appreciation to the authorities for their contribution to eradicating animal diseases in the county.
“This campaign aims to eradicate diseases as part of the union’s efforts to preserve national resources,” he said, and called on pastoralists to graze on higher grounds, not threatened by floods.
“Some unknown diseases affected our livestock two months ago and we thank God that FAO and the state authorities have come to rescue our cattle,” Nyawela said.
A Fashoda livestock owner, Angelo Okuc, welcomed the vaccination, saying that it would protect the animals, especially at a time when floods had hit large parts of the county.
Okuc disclosed that they were experiencing challenges accessing routine livestock vaccination.
“Some people now are even refusing to vaccinate their cattle because they are afraid that next year, the vaccine might not come and thus affect the livestock.”
Okuc appealed to the authorities to provide serums at appropriate times to avoid the spread of animal diseases.