The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with its partners, has educated butchers and livestock traders about the outbreak of anthrax in neighboring countries within the West African sub-region, particularly in Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
While there are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of anthrax in Nigeria, the ministry emphasized the importance of preventive measures.
During a sensitization workshop held at Karu abattoir and livestock market in Abuja, Dr. Columba Vakuru, the Director/Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVO), represented by Dr. Dupe Hambolu, Risk Assessment and Communication Focal Point, explained that the purpose of the awareness campaign was to educate participants about preventive and control measures to address the threat of anthrax.
Dr. Vakuru highlighted that anthrax is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and humans (a zoonotic disease). The bacteria exist as spores and can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals. Animals can become infected by breathing in or ingesting spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water, while humans can contract the disease by inhaling spores, consuming contaminated meat, or coming into contact with the skin through wounds or cuts while handling sick or dead anthrax-infected animals.
The CVO described the signs of anthrax in animals, such as sudden death within a few hours without any prior symptoms, shivering due to high fever, difficulty in breathing, or convulsions, among others. In humans, signs include fever, painless skin sores/ulcers with a black center, respiratory symptoms, severe stomach pain, and general body pain.
To prevent or control the spread of anthrax, the public was urged to avoid buying or selling sick animals, refrain from purchasing animals from areas with suspected outbreaks, avoid buying cheap animals, consistently wear nose masks and appropriate work clothes and boots when in contact with animals, regularly wash hands with soap after handling animals, and frequently disinfect the floor.
Dr. Vakuru explained that anthrax spores are resistant and can survive in contaminated environments for several decades, making disease control challenging. The spores can be brought to the surface by wet weather conditions. Given Nigeria's close relationship with Ghana through border movements of humans and animals and strong trade relations, there is a high risk of disease importation.
Precautionary measures taken by the government include the establishment of a National Anthrax Technical Working Group (TWG), dissemination of information through press releases, and the development of an incident action plan. Early detection and reporting of suspected anthrax cases in animals were encouraged to prevent further spread to unaffected animals and humans.
Hanisu Wawu, the Livestock Manager in Dei-Dei Market, assured that all livestock brought for sale or slaughter are closely monitored. He pledged to ensure that dealers adhere to the directives of the Federal Government regarding livestock to prevent disease outbreaks in the country.
