The Federal Government has officially confirmed the first case of anthrax in the country.
A statement released by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday, signed by Dr. Columba T. Vakuru, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, said animals showing signs of a possible case of anthrax on a farm in Suleja, Niger State, were reported to the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria on July 14, 2023.
“The case was in a multi-species animal farm comprising cattle, sheep, and goats located at Gajiri, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, in Suleja LGA, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings (anus, nose, eyes, and ears).
“A Rapid Response Team comprising federal and state health professionals visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collect samples from the sick animals.
“Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years,” the statement reads in part.
The federal government issued a warning to Nigerians weeks ago after learning of an anthrax outbreak in Northern Ghana, where all infected animals had died.
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus, which mostly affects livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats.
However, it can also infect people who come into contact with infected people or contaminated animal products like meat, wool, or skins.
Anthrax that spreads via the skin might result from open wounds or contact with contaminated objects, while anthrax that spreads through the air can happen when spores are inhaled.
The federal government appealed to Nigerians to “immediately report cases of animals bleeding from body openings to veterinary authorities, or agriculture extension workers.
“The blood of an anthrax-infected animal does not clot. Do not process or move the dead or sick animal; quickly report it to your veterinary doctor or veterinary authorities at the ministry of agriculture in your state,” the statement advised Nigerians.
