Ayuba Sanusi
KEBBI STATE Ministry of Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries has advised residents of the state to be cautious and adopt precautionary measures in the wake of the deadly Anthrax outbreak that has shown its ugly face in Niger State.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ahmed Umar Ambrusa made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
“The Ministry wishes to inform the general public of an emergency at hand that requires urgent attention and prompt action in order to save lives.
“Barely a month after the report of an outbreak of Anthrax infection in Northern Ghana, the infection was confirmed in Niger State in Nigeria.
“This is to show how fast the disease can spread because of our proximity and socio-cultural interactions within the regions of West Africa not to talk of within the country.
“The fact now is that the disease is now near us considering our proximity with Niger State,” he said.
Explaining what people should know about the disease, Umar said it was an infection that affects livestock and other mammals caused by a spore-forming bacteria, adding that it affects humans too via inhalation of spores of the bacteria from contact with infected animals, animal products or affected surfaces.
According to him, it is deadly in both animals and humans if unnoticed and treated early, noting that in animals it is characterised by high fever, gastrointestinal conditions, and frank blood oozing out of natural openings like the nose, mouth, ears and anus, among others.
He said people get infected through inhalation of the bacterial spore that comes out of the blood of an infected animal or byproducts such as meats, hides and skin.
On what people should be observed to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products, the Perm-Sec said livestock owners should always be vigilant and report any sign of illness in their stock to the nearest veterinary personnel.
Umar Ahmed advised cattle traders (falke) to be cautious in cattle markets and avoid bringing into the state any livestock or their products from the neighbouring countries and Niger State.
He stressed the need for supervision and monitoring by veterinary authorities to ensure that butchers slaughter animals at government-designated abattoirs.
“As of now any highly sick animal can be a suspect, therefore, do not slaughter such animals because doing so is exposing the causative agent to the environment if the animal is already infected. Always isolate sick animals and call for the attention of veterinary authorities.
“Practice biosecurity measures through ensuring personal hygiene and disinfection of premises,” he advised.
He assured that the Kebbi State government was doing everything possible to stop the disease from entering the state in view of “our proximity to Niger State.”
While advising people to be vigilant, the Perm-Sec. urged the general public to call any of the following telephone lines in case of any important information:
070 11 797 110, 080 36 0504 95, 080 32 8065 12, 080 63 8772 98 070 34 4964 42
Eighteen-Eleven Media