An emerging and disturbing report from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicates that Anthrax disease may have spread to the south and other parts of the north.
During an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, July 18, the NCDC’s Executive Director, Ifedayo Adetifa, said that the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture was notified of animals manifesting symptoms of a suspected case of anthrax in a farm in Suleja, Niger state.
Adetifa said:
“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep, and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes, and ears.”
As he revealed, the fast-spreading disease from neighbouring countries found its way into Nigeria.
His words:
“Earlier there were significant movements of animals in the area of the last religious feast. The areas are called down south, and it’sit’s possible that in that region where animals are infected may have made their way into the country.
“Most especially for animals that were brought in across the borders. So, in this context, this is the first animal we have diagnosed its condition with, so there may be other animals with it.”
He expressed worry that anthrax has spread throughout the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to him: “It is also possible that the disease is currently across the country and likely other cases that are yet to be notified. But we can only react to what we know.”
