The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has issued a nationwide alert following the confirmation of an anthrax outbreak in Zamfara State.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, “The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development wishes to officially notify the public of a confirmed outbreak of anthrax in a farm in Zamfara State.”
Anthrax, “caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease that can affect various warm-blooded animals, including cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as humans.”
The statement revealed that the disease is listed as notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health due to” its potential to cause high morbidity and mortality.”
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Symptoms of anthrax in animals and humans include “fever, coughing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.”
The Ministry however advised livestock farmers to implement preventive measures, such as risk assessment, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals in high-risk areas.
The public is also been urged to remain vigilant, report any unusual illnesses in animals or humans, and adhere to all preventive guidelines issued by relevant authorities.
The Ministry further also called on stakeholders, especially states bordering Zamfara, to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease.
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