C'River State Government Sensitises Residents On Anthrax Disease
By Our Reporter
Following the confirmation of a recorded case of Anthrax disease in Nigeria, Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has commenced public awareness and sensitisation of residents of the State, in order to avert exposure to the disease.
Recall that the case reported by the Federal Government on Monday, July 17, 2023, in a multi- species animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats, located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way Suleja LGA, Niger State, was said to be recorded few weeks after an outbreak of Anthrax was reported in Northern Ghana.
Educating residents of the State on a radio program this morning, the Director, Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Patrick Obi, explained that Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis which primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, adding that it can also infect humans who come into direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products like meat, wool or hides commonly known as "kpomo."
According to the Director, signs and symptoms of the disease manifested in man are in accordance with the three forms of Anthrax which include: gastrointestinal form - sore throat, bloody vomiting, diarrhea; inhalation form - difficulty in breathing and cutaneous form - sores on the skin, noting that they could be very fatal if not well managed by a medical health practitioner.
For animals, Dr. Obi stated that affected animals within a very short period of time, become dull, collapse, and bleed from body openings like anus, ears nose, eyes and mouth, also pointing out that the blood from Anthrax infected animal does not clot.
He however maintained that the Federal Government in order to control and contain the outbreak has quickly directed quarantine of animals in affected farms and deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms for vaccination of in-contact animals. He added that plans are underway by the Government to conduct nationwide vaccination of cattle, sheep and goats against anthrax, as surveillance has been intensified in various control post, livestocks farms, markets and abattoirs to reduce the risk of exposure of both man and animals to the disease.
The Director of veterinary services, cautioned that all livestock owners should remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious illness or deaths of their animals to the veterinary department of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals and their products, while also encouraging the use of slaughter slabs or abattoirs to slaughter animals.
Dr. Obi further warned residents of the State to be wary of places they buy meat for consumption as only government designated abattoirs and markets are encouraged. He discouraged residents from consuming bush meats and patronizing vendors who bring meat from unknown places into the market, stressing that diseases know no boundary hence the need for precaution by all and sundry.
