Edo State Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Monday took sensitization campaign on the outbreak of anthrax to government abattoirs.
The move is in line with directives of the Federal government through Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. The agencies had directed that abattoirs operators and other vulnerable groups alerted on the out break of anthrax disease in Ghana.
The Ministry’s Veterinary Department first point of call was the state government abattoirs located along Ikpoba Slope, Benin City
Dr.James Igenoza, the state epidemiologists’ team led, says the campaign is targeted at equipping abattoirs operators with information to prevent and stop the spread of the disease. He reiterated the earlier position of FMARD and NCDC’s that no case of the disease has been recorded in Nigeria.
Dr. Igenoza said anthrax is a zoonotic disease; meaning, it can be transmitted from animals to humans with human symptoms similar to those of malaria
Dr. Igenoza urged the operators of the abattoirs to prevent the spread of anthrax through adherence to hygiene protocol and reduced contact with animals and their products. He also charged operators to wash their hands thoroughly before and after handling animals or animal products. Adding that hand gloves and masks should be worn when handling animals and carcasses should be properly disposed with the abattoirs regularly clean and disinfect.
The operators of the abattoirs, who received the sensitisation messages with delight, expressed gratitude for the information and the advice, assuring that they would take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of anthrax in their facilities.
Nigerian Government Public Health Advisory
The Nigerian Government through the FMARD and the NCDC had on announced the constitution of a National Technical Working Group on Anthrax. The group is to oversee implementation of measures that will safeguard the country against importation of the disease.
