FG confirms first Anthrax case in Niger

Animals exhibiting symptoms of a potential 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, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday and signed by Dr. Columba T. Vakuru, Nigeria's Chief Veterinary Officer.

“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway 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 One 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 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 epidemic in Northern Ghana where all afflicted animals had perished.

Anthrax is largely caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus, which mostly affects livestock including cattle, sheep, and goats. The disease can also spread to people who come into touch with sick people or tainted animal products like meat, wool, or skins. Anthrax that spreads via the skin can result from open wounds or contact with contaminated objects, as opposed to anthrax that spreads through the air, which can happen when spores are inhaled.

The federal government of Nigeria advised its residents 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,” the statement advised Nigerians.

Source