Veterinary service launches vaccination campaign

Koforidua (E/R), Sept. 29, GNA - The Veterinary Service, in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers (GNACAF), has launched a vaccination campaign against the Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) disease.

The infectious disease has become an epidemic in cattle.

The campaign, therefore, was launched to create the awareness of the disease and to educate the cattle owners on its symptoms and to officially open the vaccination in the Eastern Regional, capital of Koforidua.

Addressing participants at the launch, Dr Asiedu Baah, the Eastern Regional Director of Veterinary Service Department, said the disease, which affected the lungs of cattle was caused by the mycoplasma bacteria.

He explained it took a direct contact for an infection to occur and it was spread by the inhalation of infected airborne droplets, expelled by an infected animal through coughing and sneezing.

Dr Baah said some associated symptoms of the disease were high fever, inflammation and the enlargement of the lungs, as well as persistent coughs.

He said the vaccination would also afford the Department the opportunity to undertake a census of the cattle in the Region.

Imam Hanafi Sonde, the President of the Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers, said the vaccination was going to benefit 6,000 registered members of the Association nationwide, excluding non registered members.

He said each farmer was supposed to pay GHC 3.00 per cattle to be vaccinated.

He said the project was aimed at vaccinating at least 85 per cent of the cattle in Ghana.

GNA