The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has confirmed the first case of anthrax in Nigeria on a farm in Suleja, Niger State.
Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Columba T. Vakuru, made this known in a statement, said a Rapid Response team comprising federal and state Health Professional Team, have visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals.
Dr Vakuru said the case was reported to his office on Friday, July 14, 2023.
“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising cattle, sheep and goats, located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna express way Suleja LGA, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes and ears.
“A Rapid Response team comprising of federal and states One Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals. Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years”, the statement added.
Anthrax is a severe bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, including wild animals and livestock including cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats.
“A Rapid Response team comprising of federal and states One Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals. Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years”, the statement added.
