The disease was discovered in a farm in Niger State, according to the Federal Government, which announced the first case of anthrax in Nigeria on Monday.
The Federal Government informed the public of the anthrax disease outbreak in a few nearby countries in the West African sub-region on June 13, 2023, according to News About Nigeria, and advised Nigerians to refrain from consuming hides, also known as ponmo, at this time.
The FG had specifically mentioned that the sickness was common in northern Ghana, which borders Burkina Faso and Togo, as well as that they would keep Nigerians informed of any new information regarding the ailment.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said in a statement released on Monday in Abuja that it was “deeply concerned to announce the confirmation of an anthrax case in Niger State, Nigeria.”
The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was informed on July 14, 2023, of animals showing signs of a possible case of anthrax on a farm in Suleja, Niger State, it continued.
“The case was in a multi-species animal farm with cattle, sheep, and goats at Gajiri, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing blood from their body openings, including their anus, nose, eyes, and ears.”
A rapid response team made up of federal and state One Health Professional Teams visited the farm to conduct initial investigations and gather samples from the ill animals, according to the FMARD.
“Following the discovery of an anthrax outbreak in Northern Ghana a few weeks ago, subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory verified the diagnosis, marking the first documented case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years. The government reported that all impacted animals had passed away.
Avoid ponmo and bush meat as anthrax is fatal, Lagos people disregard government advice against ponmo usage. Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacteria that mostly affects cattle, sheep, and goats, is the source of anthrax.
