FG Moves to Tackle Tsetse Fly-Related Diseases

 

FG Moves to Tackle Tsetse Fly-Related Diseases

By Fatima Muhammad

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to control the spread of tsetse flies and the diseases they transmit through a coordinated intervention across the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Ogun states.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, is focused on grazing reserves, livestock settlements, and other high-risk areas. It forms part of a broader strategy aimed at improving livestock productivity and protecting public health.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, the intervention includes surveillance, vector control, and community sensitisation. Officials have also deployed traps, fumigation techniques, and insecticide treatments to reduce infestation levels.

Speaking through the statement, the Deputy Director and Coordinator of the Federal Epidemiology Unit, Ozoemena Uche, highlighted the dangers posed by tsetse flies.

“Tsetse flies transmit trypanosomiasis, which affects both animals and humans. Our goal is to reduce its impact on livestock productivity and prevent associated public health risks,” he said.

At the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, the manager, Mohammed Bala, expressed concern over additional livestock diseases affecting herders.

“We are also dealing with diseases like foot-and-mouth and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. We need sustained veterinary support and access to vaccines to protect our livestock,” he noted.

In Kogi State, where the operation covered six local government areas, officials emphasised the urgency of the intervention in safeguarding livelihoods.

The Team Lead of the Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Ground Control Programme, Abdulkadiri Adaji, stated that the continued presence of tsetse flies has negatively affected livestock production.

“This exercise is critical to generating data and implementing control measures that will reverse this trend. Diseases transmitted by animals can also affect humans, making this intervention vital for both agriculture and national health security,” he said.

Similarly, in Ogun State, the Federal Government adopted a combination of physical and chemical methods to combat the infestation.

The Team Lead from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Gilbert Okoro, explained that traps are being used to capture the flies, while insecticides are applied to eliminate those not caught.

“This aligns with the One Health approach, ensuring that human health, animal health, and environmental safety are addressed together,” he added.

The ministry noted that the exercise is part of a long-term national strategy to combat tsetse-borne diseases, boost livestock production, and protect rural livelihoods across the country.