The Benue State government has raised the fine for impounded animals from N2,000 to N50,000, with an additional N20,000 daily quarantine fee in the amended Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2022.
Governor Samuel Ortom who disclosed this on Thursday while signing the amended law said failure to claim the animals after seven days empowers the state Ministry of Agriculture to auction the animals, in line with the law.
He added that while other portions of the law remained as they were, another amended area covered the seven days period of grace during which the confiscated livestock must be claimed by their owners or risk being unction.
“If the owners don’t come to collect same day of confiscation, they will have to pay an additional N20,000 for each cow. If you don’t pay within seven days, the law permits us to auction it,” Ortom said.
“The House of Assembly has approved that for every cow arrested by our livestock guard, the owners should pay the sum of N50,000 instead of the meagre N2,000.
“For every cow that is arrested and kept in the quarantine centre, if you are found wanting, other provisions of the law as enacted in 2017 still stands.”
The Benue State Government is the first to enact a law prohibiting open grazing in 2017.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-colourful-house-in-mexico-city-surrounded-by-plants-and-flowers-right-a-caribbean-beach-resort-with-deck-chairs-on-the-sand.jpg?id=54003833&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've been dreaming of a tropical getaway, you might want to check <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-travel-advisories">Canada's latest travel advisories</a> before booking that flight. The government has <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canadian-travel-advisories-for-popular-destinations-this-fall">recently issued travel notices</a> for 47 different countries due to a rise in dengue fever cases, and the symptoms sound pretty unpleasant.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/viral-haemorrhagic-fevers/dengue-fever.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dengue fever</a> is a viral disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and it's more common than you might think in tropical and subtropical areas. It mostly pops up in urban or semi-urban regions, so your chances of encountering it could be higher if you're visiting places like beach resorts or busy cities.</p><p>If you get them, dengue fever symptoms typically show up 4-7 days after a mosquito bite. It <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/517" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">feels like the flu but cranked up a notch</a>. Look out for symptoms like sudden high fever, nasty headaches, pain behind your eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and rashes.</p><p>Most people who get symptoms recover within a week, but in some cases, dengue fever can turn severe. Severe dengue fever can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and, in fewer than 1% of cases, death. While your chances of becoming severely ill are small, it's not something you want to gamble with—especially if you've had dengue before, which can increase your risk of complications.</p><p>The <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/517" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">travel advisory</a>, most recently updated on Monday, October 28, covers a long list of destinations, many of which are hotspots for Canadians looking for a sun-soaked escape. Some of the countries flagged include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.</p><p>The full list includes 46 countries, from Latin America to Africa to Southeast Asia, so it's wise to check if your next vacation destination is affected before booking flights or organizing travel insurance.</p><p>Since there's no vaccine or medication to prevent dengue fever in Canada, planning ahead is key. Government officials suggest using an <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/about-pesticides/insect-repellents.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">approved insect repellent</a> and applying it correctly, wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, and sleeping in indoor areas that are completely enclosed or well-screened.</p><p>If you feel symptoms while travelling—or even after returning home—it's important to get checked by a doctor ASAP. Early treatment can make a big difference.</p><p>Dengue fever isn't new, but the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/dengue-fever-climate-change-1.7043918" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">increase in outbreaks worldwide</a> is something to be aware of. According to the government, dengue cases are on the rise in urban areas of tropical and subtropical countries.</p><p>Around <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/viral-haemorrhagic-fevers/dengue-fever/surveillance.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">400 million people</a> are infected globally each year, and up to 300 of those cases are among Canadians returning from abroad. The actual number could be much higher because many people don't show symptoms.</p><p>If you are travelling to one of the countries on the list, don't panic. This is a <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices#level1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Level 1 travel notice</a>, meaning you should take standard precautions but don't need to cancel your plans. Just make sure you're prepared, especially if you're headed to a high-risk area during the local rainy season.</p><p>Here's the complete list of countries flagged (as of Monday, October 28, 2024) for dengue risks:</p><ol><li>Afghanistan</li><li>Argentina</li><li>Bangladesh</li><li>Bonaire</li><li>Brazil</li><li>Burkina Faso</li><li>Cabo Verde</li><li>Colombia</li><li>Costa Rica</li><li>Cuba</li><li>Curaçao</li><li>Dominican Republic</li><li>Ecuador</li><li>Ethiopia</li><li>French Guiana</li><li>French Polynesia</li><li>Ghana</li><li>Guadeloupe</li><li>Guatemala</li><li>Guyana</li><li>Honduras</li><li>Indonesia</li><li>Jamaica</li><li>Malaysia</li><li>Mali</li><li>Mexico</li><li>Nepal</li><li>Nicaragua</li><li>Panama</li><li>Paraguay</li><li>Peru</li><li>Philippines</li><li>Puerto Rico</li><li>Saint-Barthélemy</li><li>Saint Kitts and Nevis</li><li>Saint Martin</li><li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</li><li>Saint Lucia</li><li>Senegal</li><li>Sint Maarten</li><li>Sudan</li><li>Sri Lanka</li><li>Togo</li><li>Trinidad and Tobago</li><li>Uruguay</li><li>U.S. Virgin Islands</li></ol><p>If you're planning a trip to any of these destinations, visiting a travel health clinic around six weeks before you leave is a good idea. They can help you prep with personalized advice on how to stay safe from mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever.</p><p>While it's tempting to focus on the sunny beaches and palm trees at your destination, don't forget to check any government travel advisories before you go. </p><p>So pack that repellent, cover up, and enjoy your trip. Safe travels, Montreal!</p>
