FG alerts livestock breeders, poultry farmers on outbreak of anthrax

The Federal Government has alerted livestock breeders and poultry farmers of the outbreak of anthrax in neighbouring countries.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Ernest indicated that Nigeria was alerted on the outbreak of the zoonotic disease in Northern Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo.

The statement, therefore, called for caution and vaccination of animals in the states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos.

According to the statement, the disease has so far claimed the lives of farmers and their livestock in the neighbouring countries.

“The general public is therefore advised to desist from the consumption of hides (Pomo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose a serious risk until the situation is brought under control”, it advised.

Meanwhile, the Ministry through the Permanent Secretary is urging members of the public to remain calm and vigilant as the Federal Government has resuscitated a standing committee on the control of Anthrax in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Ministry added that relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak, this is in addition to the sensitization of State Directors of Veterinary Services nationwide