The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially confirmed the first case of Anthrax in the country. The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday, after detecting the disease on a farm in Niger State.
The case came to light on July 14, 2023, when the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria received reports of animals showing symptoms of a suspected Anthrax infection at a farm in Suleja, Niger State. The farm in question was a multi-specie animal farm that included cattle, sheep, and goats, located at Gajiri along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway in Suleja LGA, Niger State. Disturbingly, some of the animals displayed symptoms such as oozing blood from various body openings like the anus, nose, eyes, and ears.
Responding swiftly, a Rapid Response team, comprising federal and state One Health Professional Team, was dispatched to the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collect samples from the affected animals. Subsequent laboratory tests, conducted at the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory, confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of Anthrax in Nigeria in recent years.
The outbreak is particularly concerning as Anthrax is a major zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, capable of affecting animals like cattle, sheep, and goats, and also posing a risk to humans who come into direct contact with infected animals or consume contaminated animal products.
Anthrax spores, existing in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals, are known to be remarkably resistant to extreme conditions and can remain viable in the environment for decades, making the control and eradication of the disease challenging.
In humans, Anthrax can manifest in three ways: through skin infection, gastrointestinal infection via the consumption of contaminated animal products, or the deadliest form, inhalation, where individuals breathe in the spores.
Given the severity of the situation, the Nigerian government had previously communicated the risk of Anthrax incursion into the country, considering the confirmed outbreaks in neighboring Ghana and other West African countries.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Niger state government, has already taken proactive measures to contain the disease. These measures include the quarantine of the affected farm, deploying 50,000 doses of Anthrax vaccines for ring vaccination of susceptible animals around the infected farm, and educating farm workers using a One-health approach about the symptoms, preventive measures, and what to do when they notice any signs of the disease.
Additional actions include finalizing plans for state-wide vaccination of susceptible animals against Anthrax, intensifying passive surveillance activities in livestock farms, markets, and abattoirs, and launching targeted public awareness campaigns on Anthrax.
Livestock owners are urged to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicion of illness or deaths on their farms, avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products, and refrain from slaughtering sick animals as it could expose them to Anthrax spores. Furthermore, precautions include avoiding contact with wild animals and products like “bush” meat, reporting any sudden animal deaths to veterinary authorities, and practicing proper biosecurity measures.
The government also reminds Nigerians to exercise caution when purchasing animals, especially from bordering Nigerian states, Benin, Chad, Niger, Ghana, and Togo via waterways. During the festive period, individuals are advised to carefully observe rams or cattle to be slaughtered for signs of sickness before proceeding.
The importance of reporting Anthrax cases early cannot be overstated, as it is a treatable disease. People who suspect any signs and symptoms associated with Anthrax are strongly encouraged to seek prompt treatment at the nearest health facility.
Amidst the recent memories of a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian population is being urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect both themselves and their livestock from this potentially deadly disease. By adhering to these guidelines, authorities hope to contain the spread of Anthrax and avoid any further outbreaks.
