The Punch reports that the Federal Government said the risk assessment conducted by human health sector showed that the likelihood of an outbreak and the potential impact of anthrax disease in the country is high.

This was confirmed in the joint press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba Vakuru and the Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa. The Government has activated the incident management system at level two with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response. Measure have been put in place to quickly detect, control and contain the disease. One case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State was confirmed. This is the first animal case in Nigeria since the beginning of the west Africa outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.

FMARD following the report of sudden deaths of livestock in a farm with 8 mortality where the dead animals were bleeding from external orifices without blood clothing. Samples were collected from multiple species of livestock on the farm for testing at the national Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State for testing which came out positive for Anthrax. Further investigation was carried out to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans. Though Human exposure has been reported, there are no reports so far on human symptoms or mortality. The FMARD and NCDC are currently working closely with the Niger state Ministries of health and Agriculture to identify, isolate and follow up all exposed persons.

Anthrax is a severe disease caused by bacteria –Bacillus anthracis that can affect both animals and humans. The bacteria exists as spores, can be found in soil, wool or hair of infected animals. Anthrax spores are resistant to extreme conditions and can survive in the soil or environment for decades making controlling or eradicating the disease very difficult. Spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, deep digging, or when eaten by livestocks when grazing and affect humans through skin infection, gastrointestinal and inhalation.