The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Friday
raised concerns over an outbreak of the Anthrax disease in
neighbouring Niger Republic.
A statement by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federation,
Oniya Alabi described anthrax as a deadly zoonotic disease with
high rate of mortality in human and livestock.
The warning came on a day the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)
also alerted its zonal, regional and other offices across the
country of an outbreak of Charcoal Anthrax Disease Bacterium
Bacillus Anthracis in the Niger Republic.
In a memo the Comptroller Enforcement of the Service, Victor
Dimka, to all zonal coordinat§ors, stressed that the alert became
necessary to ensure the disease did not spread into the Nigerian
territory as a result of the inflow of sheep and cattle from Niger
into the country.
Dinmka further observed that the disease could be transmitted to
man directly or indirectly through contact with infected animal or
inhalation.
He said: “Headquarters is in receipt of a report which reveals
that the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had
notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of an
outbreak of Charcoal Anthrax Disease Bacterium Bacillus Anthracis,
in sheep and cattle in the country.
“The infectious Anthrax Agent bacteria can survive for several
years in the soil, before being ingested by the grazing animal. The
disease was first reported in Niger’s Tillaberry Region on 23rd
November 2019, where it killed three cattle.
“Since then, over 100 cattle have been infected and 22 recorded
death. Transmission to human occurs directly or indirectly from
infected animals or due to occupational exposure to contaminated
animal products.”
He added: “The disease manifests either as a scratch that could
progress into sepsis or as pulmonary infection due to inhalation of
microorganisms suspended in the air without immediate treatment.
Charcoal Anthrax is fatal in 20 per cent of cases.
“Given the supply of cattle and sheep from Niger to Nigeria, the
CGC has directed on the urgent need to place additional
precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease into
Nigeria through our land borders.
“This is for your information and urgent necessary action,
please”.
Meanwhile, chief veterinary officer also said considering the
mass movement of animals and products across Niger and Nigeria, it
is important to enhance and strengthen surveillance systems in all
entry points in the border communities.
He said adequate measures should be taken to prevent the
incursion of the disease in the country.
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