The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has issued an alert to Nigerians regarding an outbreak of Anthrax, a zoonotic disease, in Zamfara. The outbreak occurred on a farm in Zamfara, and the ministry is urging stakeholders and states bordering Zamfara to take immediate action to prevent further spread.
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, affecting warm-blooded animals and humans with potential high morbidity and mortality. Symptoms include fever, coughing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, itching, and bleeding from major openings.
To prevent the spread of Anthrax, the ministry recommends:
- Increased Vigilance: Stakeholders and the public should be aware of unusual illnesses in animals or humans.
- Proactive Measures: Mitigate risks associated with the disease through risk assessment, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals.
- Preventive Guidelines: Adhere to guidelines issued by relevant authorities.
This is not the first recorded case of Anthrax in Nigeria. In July 2023, an outbreak occurred on a mixed livestock farm in Niger State, and subsequent outbreaks were reported in Lagos State.
Source: Nairametrics
