The Federal Government has warned on the outbreak of anthrax diseases in the country and has said the impact of the disease on human is high according to the risk assessment conducted by the human health sector.
These warnings were revealed on Monday night in a joint press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba Vakuru, and the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa.
The government, however, made known that it has activated the incident management system at level two with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response.
Confirmation of one case of Anthrax disease was made by FMARD in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State earlier.
Nigeria is recording its first animal case since the beginning of the West Africa outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.
FMARD said on July 13, 2023, the sudden deaths of livestock in this farm with eight mortality was reported and the animals that died were closely observed to have been bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting.
Following this report, samples were collected on July 14, 2023, from numerous livestock from the farm and transported to the National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Plateau State for testing where the results tested positive for anthrax.
The statement read in part, “Further investigation is also ongoing to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans. Though human exposure has been reported, there are no reports so far of human symptoms or mortality.
“The FMARD and the NCDC are currently working closely with the Niger State Ministries of Health and Agriculture to identify, isolate and follow up all exposed persons. The NCDC has activated the incident management system at level two today with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response. The risk assessment conducted by the human health sector today remained HIGH for the likelihood of an outbreak and its potential impact on humans.
“The FMARD was able to diagnose anthrax and provide early intervention within 48 hours of notification of suspected animal deaths. The Government of Nigeria, through the FMARD and NCDC and other one-health stakeholders, have put measures in place to ensure any outbreak of Anthrax in Nigeria is quickly detected, controlled, and contained.”
Anthrax is said to be a severe disease caused by the bacteria – Bacillus anthracis that can affect both humans and animals, including wild animals and livestock such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, etc.
This bacteria exists as spores, can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals. Anthrax spores are resistant to extreme situations and can survive in the soil or environment for decades, making controlling or eradicating the disease very difficult. The spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, by deep digging, or when eaten by livestock or wild animals when they graze.
Anthrax affects humans through skin infection, gastrointestinal, and inhalation.