The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially confirmed the first case of anthrax in the country.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba T. Vakuru on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said a case of animals showing signs of a possible case of anthrax on a farm in Suleja, Niger state, were reported at the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria on July 14, 2023.
‘The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising 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 blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes and ears.
A Rapid Response team comprising federal and state Health Professional Teams 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 said.
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 through the skin may do this via open wounds or contact with contaminated objects, while anthrax that spreads through the air can get activated when spores are inhaled- Team@orientactualmags.com
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