Have you ever heard of Anthrax? Many may feel uneasy when this illness is announced, but let’s examine some of the specifics.

Frist, you have to know that the Nigerian government has confirmed the presence of anthrax in the nation.

This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to Nigeria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Columba T. Vakuru, the anthrax-like signs in animals had been noticed in a farm in Suleja, Niger State.

Firstly Found In Animals

In a statement he issued on Monday, he said that the farm held a variety of animals, including cattle, sheep and goats.

The farm is in Gajiri along the Abuja-Kaduna motorway in Suleja Local Government Area.

Basically, several of these animals showed obvious symptoms of anthrax infection.

“The instance happened on a multi-species farm with cattle, sheep, and goats.

“This was located at Gajiri, along the Abuja-Kaduna express way, Suleja LGA Niger State.

Research And Samples

“Some of the animals showed symptoms including seeping blood from their body openings, including their anus, nose, eyes, and ears.

“A Rapid Response team made up of a federal and state One Health Professional Team visited the farm to carry out initial research and gather samples from the ill animals.

“However, the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory’s subsequent testing supported the diagnosis.

“This made it the first known incidence of anthrax in Nigeria in recent memory, according to the statement.

Contact Authorities

“Nigerian citizens were urged by the federal government to “immediately report cases of animals bleeding from body openings to veterinary authorities, or agriculture extension workers.

“Although, an animal with anthrax does not coagulate its blood.

“Also, you should contact your veterinarian or the veterinary authorities at the ministry of agriculture in your state right away rather than processing or moving the sick or deceased animal.”

The Primary Cause

The anthrax outbreak was recently recorded in Northern Ghana, where all infected animals had died.

After that incident, the federal government  issued a warning to Nigerians.

The spore-forming bacterium Bacillus is the primary cause of anthrax, which mostly affects livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats.

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Also, humans who come in contact with diseased animals or contaminated animal products, such as meat, wool, or skins, could also be at danger.

If you have an open wound and it comes in contact with contaminated objects, it could cause skin-based anthrax, but inhaling spores can cause inhalation anthrax.

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