The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has flagged off a tsetse fly surveillance exercise to combat infestation and control the vector in Akwa Ibom State.
The State Coordinator of FMLD, Mrs. Ikankeabasi Ukpong, made this known when she hosted the vector surveillance and control team in Uyo on Monday.
She said the team would engage in community sensitisation and create awareness in some markets to fight the hazardous impact of tsetse fly infestation on the state’s livestock industry.
Ukpong said about 12 species of tsetse fly (genus Glossina) had been identified in Nigeria.
According to her, Glossina is the biological genus of tsetse flies, which are notorious for transmitting African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) to humans and animals.
“The name Glossina is a Greek word meaning tongue, as seen in their proboscis. They are the causative agent of human sleeping sickness in humans and African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) in livestock. AAT is commonly known as Nagana,” she said.
“This leads to severe economic losses due to weight loss, anaemia, and reduction in milk or meat production. Nagana affects cattle, sheep, and goats. Advanced symptoms include drowsiness,” Ukpong added.
She said that of the identified groups of tsetse flies, the Glossina palpalis group had been endemic in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Ukpong noted that since the state lies within the humid tropical zone, the palpalis group usually thrives around the numerous rivers.
“In this survey, we will intensify efforts to cover riverine areas like Itu, Mbo, and Oron Local Government Areas. We will also work on the cattle domain in Itam. With God on our side, we will have successful surveillance to curb tsetse infestation in Akwa Ibom,” she said.
In his remarks, Dr. Teddy Essien, State Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, expressed the state government’s appreciation to the Federal Government for prioritising the area.
Essien said the state government had been collaborating with the Federal Government in key areas of agricultural programmes.
He assured that the team would be taken around key areas to actualise its advocacy against the spread of the zoonotic disease.
“There is no doubt that this vision will further benefit the people of Akwa Ibom and impact the state’s economy. Please, we also require feedback. Let’s know what happened in the field and the locations visited,” Essien said.
The Team Leader, Mr. Gilbert Okoro, said the exercise would go a long way to boost animal health and that of farmers in the endemic areas.
He said the exercise was a nationwide project against the spread of transboundary diseases affecting both humans and animals.
Okoro added that the team would set traps and later harvest the trapped flies in areas where the surveillance was conducted.
The team will visit Itu, Mbo, and Oron Local Government Areas, including the cattle domain in Itam, to curb tsetse fly infestation.
