The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Ernest Umakhihe on Monday warned Nigeria of the outbreak of Anthrax a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man.
The disease which is yet to be confirmed in the country has claimed lives in some neighbouring countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
Anthrax a zoonotic disease is transferred from animal to man and its spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.
Non-vaccinated animals with Anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of Anthrax spores or the consumption of contaminated animal products, such as hides and skin (pomo), meat or milk.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted that Anthrax has Flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, and muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, will lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and death.
He also noted that infected animals cannot be vaccinated but animals at risk can be vaccinated.
