Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, on Tuesday, confirmed the outbreak of anthrax in Zamfara State.
The Ministry’s Director of Information and Publicity, Mr. Ben Bem Goong, said in a statement that the outbreak was recorded on a farm in a North-West state.
The Ministry called for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with the disease.
The statement partly read, “Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease that can affect various warm-blooded animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and wildlife, as well as humans. It is listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) due to its potential to cause high morbidity and mortality.
“In animals and humans, symptoms of Anthrax include: Fever, coughing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, headaches, itching and bleeding from major openings.
“While Anthrax is preventable through coordinated efforts such as risk assessment, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals in high-risk areas, prompt detection and response are critical to containing its spread.”
The Ministry, therefore, urged states bordering Zamfara, “to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease. We urge the public to remain vigilant, report any unusual illnesses in animals or humans, and adhere to all preventive guidelines issued by relevant authorities.”
