The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently alerted the General Public on the outbreak of Anthrax in some Neighbouring Countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana Bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
In a statement by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe advised the public to desist from the consumption of Hides (pomo), Smoked Meat, and Bush Meat as they pose serious risks until the situation is brought under Control.
In December 2019, the ministry also put its veterinary officers on alert over the outbreak of anthrax disease in the neighboring Niger Republic.
WHAT IS ANTHRAX
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world.
HOW ANTHRAX IS TRANSMITTED
Although Anthrax is not contagious, you can’t catch it from another person. The disease which has claimed some lives is a Bacterial Disease, Primarily a disease of Animals but because of Man’s closeness to Animals, non Vaccinated Animals with Anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of Anthrax spores or Consumption of Contaminated or Infected Animal products, such as Hides and Skin, Meat or Milk.
SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX
Signs of Anthrax are Flu- like symptoms such as Cough, Fever, Muscle Aches, and if not diagnosed and treated early, lead to Pneumonia, Severe Lung problems, difficulty in Breathing, Shock, and Death.
TREATMENT
Being a Bacterial Disease, it responds to treatment with Antibiotics and Supportive Therapy.
PREVENTIVE METHODS
Annual Vaccinations with Anthrax spore Vaccines are available at National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State, and are the Cheapest and Easiest means of Prevention and Control of the Disease in Animals.
However, Infected Animals cannot be Vaccinated but Animals at risk can be Vaccinated. So in this present case, there is a need to intensify Animal Vaccinations along the Border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana.
Infected Dead Animals should be buried deep into the soil along with equipment used in the burial after applying Chemicals that will kill the Anthrax Spores.
Total stoppage of the consumption of Hides (pomo), Smoked Meat, and Bush Meat,
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS
The Federal Government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the Control of Anthrax in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Relevant Institutions and Collaborators have been Contacted with the aim of controlling the Outbreak. This is in addition to the Sensitization of State Directors of Veterinary Services Nationwide.
