There has been an outbreak of Anthrax in West Africa – warns the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby informs the general public of an anthrax outbreak in various West African neighboring countries, notably Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
The disease that has taken some lives is a Zoonotic Bacterial Disease that affects both animals and humans. Anthrax spores are naturally present in soil and regularly infect both domestic and wild animals.
When people come into contact with INFECTED ANIMALS OR CONTAMINATED ANIMAL PRODUCTS, they can become infected with Anthrax spores. However, because ANTHRAX IS NOT A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE, it cannot be contracted by coming into close contact with an infected person.
Anthrax symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, and muscle aches, and if not recognized and treated promptly, can lead to Pneumonia, severe lung issues, difficulty breathing, shock, and death.
As a Bacterial Disease, it responds to Antibiotics and Supportive Therapy.
It is mostly an animal disease, but because of man’s proximity to animals, non-vaccinated animals infected with anthrax can readily be transmitted to man via inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated/infected animal products such as hides and skin, meat, or milk.
Annual Anthrax spore vaccinations Vaccines are provided at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom in Plateau State and are the most cost-effective and simple method of disease prevention and control in animals.
Infected animals, however, cannot be vaccinated; nonetheless, animals at risk can be vaccinated. As a result of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana, the border states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos require more animal vaccinations. Other Nigerian states are encouraged to participate as well.
After administering chemicals that kill the Anthrax Spores, infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil, along with the equipment used in the burial.
The general public is urgently encouraged to refrain from consuming Hides (pomo), Smoked Meat, and Bush Meat until the situation is brought under control.
Meanwhile, the general public is asked to be calm and watchful, as the Federal Government has reactivated a Standing Committee on Anthrax Control in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In addition, relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted in order to control the outbreak. This is in addition to the nationwide sensitization of state directors of veterinary services.
