The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has confirmed an outbreak of anthrax in Zamfara.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Ben Goong, the Director of Information and Public Relations, who provided details on the situation and outlined measures to control the disease’s spread.
Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease that can affect both animals and humans. It primarily impacts warm-blooded animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, but humans are also at risk of infection.
The disease has been categorized as notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health due to its ability to cause widespread illness and death if not promptly addressed.
Goong explained the symptoms of anthrax, which include fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, swollen lymph nodes, and in severe cases, bleeding from major body openings. The ministry noted that immediate detection and intervention are crucial in containing the outbreak.
“While anthrax is preventable through coordinated efforts such as risk assessment, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals in high-risk areas, prompt detection and response are critical to containing its spread,” the statement read.
The ministry urged neighbouring states to take precautionary measures.
“We call on stakeholders, especially states bordering Zamfara, to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease,” it stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling the outbreak, the ministry said, “The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure a swift and effective response.”
