Niger State Records First Outbreak Of Anthrax Disease

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria has recorded its first case of anthrax, a bacterium disease which mostly affects livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats.

The Federal Government, which confirms the outbreak, in Niger State, had earlier warned Nigerians weeks ago after learning of an anthrax outbreak in Northern Ghana where all infected animals had died.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday, by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,signed by the chief veterinary officer, Dr. Columba  Vakuru.

According to him, 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-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way 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 of federal and states Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals.

“Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years.”

The statement 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 to your veterinary doctor or veterinary authorities at the ministry of agriculture in your state.”