Health

Report any Case of Anthrax, Oyo Govt. Urges Residents

By Web News 461

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government has called on residents of the state to report any case of anthrax and other animal disease in their domain.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Olasunkanmi Olaleye made the call at a media sensitization program held at Kara Market, Iseyin, Oke-Ogun area of the state. 

The commissioner, who was represented by Deputy Director of the ministry, Dr. Semiu Akibu explained that the outbreak of anthrax in the neigbouring West Africa required urgent attention for healthy living and continued economic performance of the state.

Dr. Akibu noted that anthrax, being a bacteria disease and airborne could pose threats to pig, sheep, goat, cow and other animal health.

In his contribution, Oyo State Animal Disease Surveillance Agent, Irepo , Dr. Tunde Adetola assured cattle rearers of readiness of the state government to make available vaccines for the prevention of anthrax both for human and animals

Chairman, Oyo State Butchers Association, Comrade Lateef Olagoke commended the state government for the sensitization, warning members against flouting the  guidelines on the anthrax in the state.

Earlier, Chairman, Oyo State Miyetti Allah Association, Abubakar Ibrahim, represented by Yakurbu Bello appreciated proactive step of the state government in curbing diseases. 

He called on the state residents to promptly inform the concerned authority when animals are found sick.

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Health

FG Issues Red Alert on Anthrax Outbreak

By Web News 342

The Federal Government says the risk assessment conducted by the human health sector showed that the likelihood of an outbreak of anthrax disease in the country is high.

The FG also said that the potential impact of the disease on humans is high.

These were made known 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, noted that it has activated the incident management system at level two with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response.

Earlier, FMARD confirmed one case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State.

This is the first animal case to be reported in Nigeria 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 who died were observed to have been bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Health

Veterinary Doctor Cautions Nigerians Against Anthrax

By Web News 498

By Lanre Omotoso

Nigerians have been enjoined to urgently seek medical attention for possible treatment against anthrax when they observe symptoms such as food poisoning, difficult in breathing, severe fever and bloody diarrhea.

Dr Ayosunkanmi Ogunrinde of Ekiti State Veterinary Hospital gave the advice in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti, following the announcement by Federal Government on the outbreak of anthrax in some neighbouring countries. 

Dr Ogunrinde who identified anthrax as infectious bacterial disease of animals, said human-being could contract the disease through direct contact with infected animals, hence the need for prompt treatment for anyone with such symptoms to avoid untimely death.

The Veterinarian noted that human-being could contract anthrax by inhaling the bacteria during animal slaughtering, eating under cooked infected meat as well as touching the skin of affected animals.

While noting that animals do contract anthrax in the contaminated soil or water during grazing as well as when in contact with infected animals, the animal doctor emphasized the need for individuals and livestock owners to take precautions.

Dr Ogunrinde warned that any animal that died suddenly with unclotted blood snoozing from the eyes, nose, ears and anus should be reported to veterinary hospitals or ministry of agriculture for appropriate evacuation to avoid endemic situation.

While Nigeria has not yet reported cases of anthrax, the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has encouraged citizens to vaccinate their animals against anthrax, as well as usage of gloves, facemasks, goggles and boots when handling sick animals.

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Agriculture

Anthrax: Ogun Bans Sale of Animals at Undesignated Places

By Web News 520

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

As part of efforts to prevent the spread of Anthrax, Ogun State government has announced a ban on the sale of animals at undesignated locations or movement of live animals without approval as Muslims prepare for this year’s Eid- el -Kabir. 

The government through the ministry of agriculture also advised residents to avoid touching and the consumption of any animal that died suddenly or those showing signs of bleeding through natural body openings, like the mouth, nostrils, ears and anus. 

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Samuel Adeogun emphasized the need for public awareness and precautionary measures following the recent announcement by the Federal Government on the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring countries. 

Mr Adeogun who maintained that the state government was committed to ensuring the health and safety of the residents, urged them to buy meat  from approved slaughter slabs and promptly notify the relevant authorities if they noticed any dead or live animal with symptoms of Anthrax. 

The federal government had earlier alerted the public of recorded cases of outbreak of Anthrax, a disease affecting both wild and domestic animals and could be transmitted among humans through contact with infected animals, including cattle, sheep, goat, and antelope.