Seven Things You Need To Know About Anthrax

The Federal Government on Monday confirmed one case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State.

 The apex government said further investigation was also ongoing to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans.  Here are some important things to know about the disease that affects both humans and animals:

It is caused by the bacteria – Bacillus anthraces

It can affect both humans and animals, including wild animals and livestock such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, etc. The bacteria, which exist as spores, can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals.

Anthrax spores are resistant to extreme conditions

The spores can survive in the soil or environment for decades, making controlling or eradicating the disease very difficult. The spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, by deep digging, or when eaten by livestock or wild animals when they graze.

It has visible symptoms in animals

In animals, anthrax can cause symptoms such as high fever, weakness, loss of appetite, bleeding from all body openings (nose, mouth, ears, anus, etc.), swelling and difficulty in breathing, and bloody diarrhoea.

It can cause fever in human

In humans, depending on the type and route of infection, anthrax can cause fever, painless skin sores with a black centre that appears after the blisters, general body weakness, and difficulty in breathing.

Don’t slaughter animal at home

Do not slaughter animals (cattle, sheep, and goats) at home, rather make use of abattoirs or slaughter slabs.

Exercise caution when buying animals

Exercise caution when buying cows, camels, sheep, goats, and other livestock from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad, and Niger, and from Ghana and Togo via waterways.

Security agent, travellers are at greater risk

Law enforcement officers (Police, Military, Immigration, Customs, Point of Entry Personnel) and anyone travelling to a location with a confirmed anthrax case within and outside Nigeria are at risk of contracting anthrax.

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