The federal government has confirmed the first case of Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
This first case according to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), was discovered in a multi-species animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep, goats and poultry located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way Suleja LGA Niger state.
Anthrax primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats but can also infect humans, who come into direct contact with infected animals or consume contaminated animal products.
The ministry in the statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest A. Umakhihe said the disease can also be transmitted through contaminated pasture, feed and water.
According to the statement, “You would recall that a few weeks ago the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development communicated the risk of incursion of Anthrax into the country, following confirmed outbreaks in Ghana and other countries in West Africa.
“The clinical signs of Anthrax in animals include sudden death and oozing of blood from natural body openings (nose, ear, mouth and anal region).
The spores of anthrax can persist for decades in contaminated environments.
“A Rapid Response Team comprising of Federal and state One-Health professionals visited the farm and conducted a detailed disease outbreak investigation.
“On the 16th of July 2023, the Ministry received a report of confirmation of anthrax in Niger state, from the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI)-Vom, Plateau state, making it the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years.”
It said the Federal Government, through the Ministry and in collaboration with the Niger state government has taken proactive measures to timely control and contain the disease. Such measures include: Quarantine of the affected farm; Deployment of 50,000 doses of anthrax vaccines for ring vaccination of susceptible animals’ species around the infected farm; Educating the farm workers using One-health approach on the symptoms, preventive measures and what to do when they notice any sign of the disease, as well as Finalization of plan for statewide vaccination of susceptible animals against anthrax.
The ministry said other measures it has taken include: Intensification of passive surveillance activities in livestock farms, markets and abattoirs and Heightening targeted public awareness campaigns on anthrax.
It advised livestock owners to remain very vigilant and promptly report any suspicion of illness or deaths on their farms; avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products and avoid slaughtering of sick animals.
It also advised livestock farmers to avoid contact with wild animals and products such as ‘bush’ meat, report any incidence of sudden death of animals to the nearest veterinary authorities and use personal protective equipment (gloves, facemasks, goggles, boots) when handling sick animals or dead animals as well as dispose all cases of animals in an environmentally friendly manner and in consultation with veterinarians, environmental and public health officers.
“Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against anthrax in livestock, consult with a veterinarian,” it said, adding, “Once again, with your cooperation we are putting in place critical and necessary steps to contain the disease.”