FG Intensifies Efforts to Tackle Tsetse Flies and Associated Diseases

The Federal Government is taking decisive action to combat the persistent threat of tsetse flies and the diseases they carry, launching a coordinated intervention across the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Ogun states. This strategic effort, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, targets critical areas such as grazing reserves and livestock settlements, recognizing the profound impact these vectors have on both animal health and human well-being.

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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.

Officials emphasize that the intervention is a multi-pronged approach, integrating rigorous surveillance with direct vector control measures, including the deployment of traps and fumigation. Community sensitization is also a key component, ensuring that local populations are informed and involved in the eradication efforts. Deputy Director Ozoemena Uche highlighted the public health implications, noting that tsetse flies transmit trypanosomiasis, a disease affecting both animals and humans. The primary goal is to mitigate its impact on livestock and prevent associated health risks.

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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.

In the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, concerns extend beyond tsetse flies, with local managers highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by diseases like foot-and-mouth and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. They stress the need for sustained veterinary support and consistent access to vaccines. This underscores the broader context of livestock health challenges in Nigeria, where controlling one vector is part of a larger strategy to ensure the sustainability of animal husbandry and safeguard national food security. The prevalence of these diseases directly impacts the livelihoods of herders and the productivity of the agricultural sector, making this intervention critical for economic stability and public health.

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The prevalence of tsetse flies continues to impact livestock production and livelihoods. This exercise is critical to generating data and implementing control measures that will reverse this trend. Diseases transmitted by animals can affect humans and so addressing this challenge is essential not just for agriculture, but for national health security.

The urgency of the situation is palpable, particularly in Kogi State, where officials noted that the prevalence of tsetse flies directly affects livestock production and livelihoods. The Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Ground Control Programme team lead stressed that the exercise is vital for generating data and implementing effective control measures. Furthermore, the interconnectedness of animal and human health means that addressing this challenge is not just an agricultural priority but a matter of national health security. In Ogun State, a combination of physical and chemical control methods is being employed, demonstrating a comprehensive strategy to tackle the infestation effectively.

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We are deploying both physical and chemical control methods. Traps are used to capture the flies, while insecticides are applied.