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Deadly Anthrax Disease Hits Lagos

byGift NOBEI
July 30, 2023
Anthrax: Stop Eating Meat From Sick Animals - NCDC Warns Nigerians  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians against consuming the meat of sick animals as they may contain anthrax. Gatekeepers News earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed cases of anthrax in some farm animals in Niger State. NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television,  called on Nigerians to be cautious of the meat they consume. “What we are saying is do not eat sick animals at all. Sick animals contain anthrax or animals that have died of anthrax contain anthrax and consumption of any of that product…anthrax is present on their skin, is present in their hair, is present in their meat,” Adetifa said. “So, consumption of any of these products, even the people who work with hides and skin who are not even working on skin for the purpose of consumption, are at the risk of anthrax if that skin came from a dead animal. “So, at this point in time where we have a confirmed case, we are just saying, look out for the meat that you buy. “If you like bush meat, maybe this is a time to take a break from bush meat if you did not catch it yourself because what we don’t want is people tend to pick up either animals that are near or have died freshly with a view of selling them for consumption. “And similarly for livestock, even if they are killed in abattoirs and all of that is, we are asking that animals be properly inspected. “People who own animals should not take sick animals for slaughter and if animals are slaughtered and it is noticed that their blood is not clotting, there is bloating more than usual or the meat starts to deteriorate pretty quickly, this is likely to be the carcass of anthrax infected animal and should not be sold for consumption.” 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.
Anthrax: Stop Eating Meat From Sick Animals - NCDC Warns Nigerians  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned Nigerians against consuming the meat of sick animals as they may contain anthrax. Gatekeepers News earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed cases of anthrax in some farm animals in Niger State. NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television,  called on Nigerians to be cautious of the meat they consume. “What we are saying is do not eat sick animals at all. Sick animals contain anthrax or animals that have died of anthrax contain anthrax and consumption of any of that product…anthrax is present on their skin, is present in their hair, is present in their meat,” Adetifa said. “So, consumption of any of these products, even the people who work with hides and skin who are not even working on skin for the purpose of consumption, are at the risk of anthrax if that skin came from a dead animal. “So, at this point in time where we have a confirmed case, we are just saying, look out for the meat that you buy. “If you like bush meat, maybe this is a time to take a break from bush meat if you did not catch it yourself because what we don’t want is people tend to pick up either animals that are near or have died freshly with a view of selling them for consumption. “And similarly for livestock, even if they are killed in abattoirs and all of that is, we are asking that animals be properly inspected. “People who own animals should not take sick animals for slaughter and if animals are slaughtered and it is noticed that their blood is not clotting, there is bloating more than usual or the meat starts to deteriorate pretty quickly, this is likely to be the carcass of anthrax infected animal and should not be sold for consumption.” 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.

Lagos State Government has said six animals infected with Anthrax disease have been confiscated, burnt and buried to prevent its spread.

Gatekeepers News reports Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, in a statement on Sunday said the cases were discovered during surveillance of animals on Lagos Island and Agege.

Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium. It mainly affects animals. Humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores.

“No case of human infection has either been identified or reported since the discovery of Anthrax disease in Lagos. Human and animal surveillance activities have been stepped up.

“Free vaccination activities and monitoring have also been intensified. Animal owners should take advantage of the exercise by coming forward with their herd for inoculation.

“Please report cases of symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services via telephone on 08023427594, 08180703010 or contact the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244,” she said.

byGift NOBEI
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