The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians on the outbreak of Anthrax disease, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

While raising the alarm, the Federal Government said neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region like northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo have already recorded an outbreak.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe, in a statement, explained that anthrax spores, a bacterial disease naturally found in the soil, commonly affecting both domestic and wild animals has claimed some lives.

He said: “People can get infected with anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animal products,” saying anthrax is a contagious disease and cannot be transmitted by coming in contact with infected persons.

The Permanent Secretary listed the signs of anthrax to include flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever and muscle aches, saying if it is not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to Pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.

He added that being a bacterial disease, it responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy, noting that the disease is primarily an animal disease, but because of man’s closeness to animals, non-vaccinated animals with anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated/infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk.

Umakhihe stated that the yearly vaccination of animals with anthrax spore vaccines are available at National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State and is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals.

He however, mentioned that infected animals cannot be vaccinated but animals at risk can be vaccinated, stressing the need to intensify animal vaccinations along border states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana and also called on other states to join in the exercise.

The statement read: “The general public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risk until the situation is brought under control.”

He urged the public to remain calm and vigilant as the Federal Government has resuscitated a standing committee on the control of anthrax in the agricultural ministry, adding that relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak, in addition to the sensitisation of state directors of veterinary services nationwide.