BREAKING: First Case Of Anthrax Disease Caused By Ponmo, Recorded In Nigeria | READ MORE

In a statement released on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) said the office of Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was on July 14 notified of animals in a farm located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja Local Government Area of Niger state, showing symptom of Anthrax which include bleeding through their anus, eyes, nose and ears.

"On July 14, 2023, the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was notified of animals manifesting symptoms of a suspected case of anthrax in a farm in Suleja, Niger State.

"The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings - anus, nose, eyes, and ears" the statement read in part.

The FMARD added that 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 and after the report of an outbreak of anthrax in Northern Ghana a few weeks ago. All animals affected have died," it said.

FMARD assured that measures are in place to contain the outbreak and ensure it does not degenerate.

"This includes quarantine of the affected farm, deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms to vaccinate in-contact animals, and educating the farm workers of the affected farms on symptoms, preventive measures, and what to do when they encounter suspected cases.

"Plans are also underway to conduct nationwide vaccination of cattle, sheep, and goats against anthrax. Surveillance of anthrax will be heightened in livestock farms, markets and abattoirs. Public awareness campaigns on anthrax will be intensified," it added.

It however charged livestock farmers to be cautious when buying cows, camels, sheep, goats, and others from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad and Niger, as well as from Ghana and Togo via waterways and also avoid making contact with sick or dead animals.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium - Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.

It can also infect humans who come into direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, such as meat, wool or hides popularly called Ponmo.

Inhalation of anthrax may occur through the inhalation of spores, while cutaneous anthrax can result from contact with contaminated materials or through open wounds.