The Kwara Government has issued a public advisory on the outbreak and spread of anthrax, a deadly bacteria that its spread had been reported in neighbouring African countries.
The advisory was issued by the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, on Friday in Ilorin.
According to him, the advisory includes an overview of the bacteria, mode of transmission, spread, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and control.
He explained that it also contained what to do when anyone comes down with the signs of the deadly disease, including the contact details of relevant health workers.
“The ministry also issued a four-page separate advisory that detailed the steps health workers should take when anyone presents symptoms of anthrax in their facilities.
“We are mindful that Kwara shares international borders with affected countries, and our citizens could well be at risk,” he explained.
Recall that the Federal Government had alerted the general public to the outbreak of anthrax in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region and advised Nigerians to avoid eating hides, otherwise known as pomo at the moment.
It specifically stated that the disease was widespread in Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
Kwara State was among the states mentioned by the FG to likely be in harm’s way as they share close proximity with the listed countries.
It disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ernest Umakhihe.
The statement read in part, “The disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, that is a zoonotic disease. Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.
“People can get infected with anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. However, anthrax is not a contagious disease, so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.
“Signs of anthrax are flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.”
The government explained that being a bacterial disease, it would respond to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.
“It is primarily a disease of animals but 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 consumption of contaminated/infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk.
“Annual vaccinations with anthrax spore vaccines are available at National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, and is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals.
“However, infected animals cannot be vaccinated but animals at risk can be vaccinated. So in this present case, there is the need to intensify animal vaccinations along the border states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana,” the ministry stated.
It informed that other states within Nigeria have been equally advised to join in the vaccination exercise.
(NAN)
Leave a Reply