FG confirms first case of anthrax in Niger farm

The federal ministry of agriculture and rural development says it has confirmed cases of anthrax in some farm animals in Niger state.

The government, however, did not mention the name of the affected farm and the extent of the infection.

Anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. It typically affects ruminants such as cows, sheep, and goats.

It is a zoonotic disease — transmissible from contaminated animals to humans.

Humans can get infected if they handle or are involved in the slaughter of a sick animal, or are in contact with contaminated animal products.

In a statement on Monday signed by Columba Vakuru, chief veterinary officer of Nigeria, the ministry said there was a notification on July 14 of animals manifesting symptoms of anthrax in a multi-specie farm in Suleja, Niger state.

Vakuru said some of the infected 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,” the statement reads.

“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 and after the report of an outbreak of anthrax in Northern Ghana a few weeks ago. All animals affected have died.”

The ministry said in collaboration with the Niger state government, it has taken proactive measures to ensure the outbreak is controlled and contained quickly in Nigeria.

“This include quarantine of the affected farm, deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms to vaccinate in-contact animals, educating the farm workers of the affected farms on symptoms, preventive measures and what to do when encounter with suspected case,” the statement reads.

“The federal ministry of agriculture and rural development hereby encourages all livestock owners to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious illness or deaths in their animals and to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products, to exercise caution when buying animals — cows, camels, sheep, goats, and other livestock — from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad, and Niger, and from Ghana and Togo via waterways.”

The ministry also advised against the slaughtering of farm animals at home, and eating of sick animals.