Nigeria records first case of Anthrax

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed on Monday, July 17, 2023, in a statement signed by Dr Columba T. Vakuru, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, that 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 bl%od from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes and ears.

A Rapid Response team comprising of federal and states One Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the s#ckanimals. 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 di£d.

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 through open wo¥nds or contact with cont@minat£d objects, while anthrax that spreads through the air can happen when spores are inhaled.

According to Daily Trust, the federal government appealed to Nigerians to “immediately report cases of animals bl£eding 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,” the statement urged Nigerians.