A Must Read! Outbreak Of ‘Anthrax’ Disease Capable Of Killing Humans, Animals-FG Alerts

On Monday, Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) issued a warning to Nigerians on the outbreak of a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man called Anthrax.

Image Credit: Onlymyhealth

Ernest Umakhihe said “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby alerts the general public on the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighboring countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

“The disease which has claimed some lives is a primary bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, 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 the consumption of contaminated animal products, such as hides and skin (pomo), meat, or milk.

Anthrax a zoonotic disease has claimed lives in some neighbouring countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo. No case of the disease is confirmed in Nigeria.

The spores of the Anthrax zoonotic disease is naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals. 

Its mode of transfer of the disease is from animal to man.