Nigeria Confirms First Case Of Anthrax, Government To Increase ‘Surveillance’

The federal government confirmed the first case of anthrax in Suleja, Niger State, revealing that a rapid response health professional team had already visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) disclosed on Monday that the case was found at a multi-specie animal farm that includes cattle, sheep, and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja LGA Niger State, according to media outlet Sahara Reporters.

The FMARD said some of the animals had symptoms, including blood oozing from orifices such as anus, nose, eyes, and ears.

A Rapid Response team consisting of federal and state health professionals visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collect required samples from the sick animals.

The National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis following subsequent laboratory tests and noted this was the first case of anthrax in Nigeria.

The federal government noted that it has taken proactive measures in order to control the outbreak in the country.

"These include quarantine of the affected farm, deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms to vaccinate in-contact animals, and educating the farm workers of the affected farms on symptoms, preventive measures, and what to do when they encounter a suspected case," the federal government said, Punch reported.

FMARD added there were plans to conduct nationwide vaccination of cattle, sheep, and goats against anthrax, and said "surveillance of anthrax will be heightened in livestock farms, markets, and abattoirs."

The government is also planning to create intensified public awareness campaigns on anthrax. The ministry has urged all farm owners to stay careful and promptly report if they notice any ill animal or suspicious deaths in order to avoid further spread.

Niger State Ministry of Health's permanent secretary Dr. Mohammed Gana also confirmed the first case was found in a farm located between Suleja and Abuja-Kaduna Road, revealing adding the government has been warned for more than a month now.

"So, we had kept a lot of surveillance in place and when the case was reported today out team was one of those that diagnosed the case," he added. "We are working in conjunction with other relevant agencies to ensure that disease does not spread beyond the farm where it was discovered."

Last month, the FMARD issued a statement, revealing they have sensitized butchers and livestock dealers on the outbreak of anthrax in some neighboring countries, including Northern Ghana.