‘They may have anthrax’ — FG warns against slaughtering sick animals for Eid al-Adha

‘They may have anthrax’ — FG warns against slaughtering sick animals for Eid al-Adha

 The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned
Nigerians against the slaughtering of sick animals for the Eid al-Adha
celebration.

 

Anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming
bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. It typically affects ruminants such as cows,
sheep, and goats.

 

It is a zoonotic disease — transmissible from contaminated
animals to humans.

 

Humans can get infected if they handle or are involved in
the slaughter of a sick animal, or are in contact with contaminated animal
products.

 

However, anthrax is, not spread from person to person by
casual contact.

 

Symptoms of the disease include cough, fever, and muscle
aches, and if not diagnosed and treated early it may lead to pneumonia, severe
lung problems, shock and death.

 

The disease has claimed some lives in northern Ghana.

 

In a statement on Tuesday, the NCDC said that there is
currently no suspected or confirmed case of anthrax in Nigeria.

 

The agency noted that the country’s close relationship with
Ghana through border movement of humans and animals, and strong trade relations
“comes with a high risk of importation of the disease”.

 

NCDC said the outbreak of anthrax outbreak in Ghana poses a
great public health risk to Nigeria due to the dangerous and highly
transmissible nature of the disease.

 

”This is particularly important due to the upcoming
Eid-el-Adha religious festivity. It is expected that there will be significant
movement, high volume trade, and slaughter of cattle and other livestock
animals in preparation for or as part of this Muslim festival,” the statement
reads.

 

“The NCDC therefore, advise Nigerians to avoid all
non-essential travel to the northern region of Ghana and to exercise caution
when buying livestock from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad, and Niger,
and from Ghana and Togo via waterways.

 

“Carefully observe rams or cattle to be slaughtered for the
festive period for signs of sickness before slaughtering. Do not slaughter
animals at home, rather make use of abattoirs or slaughter slabs. Avoid contact
with meat/bush meat or animal by-products such as skin, hides (“pomo”) and milk
of a sick or dead animal,” the statement reads.

 

“Do not slaughter sick animals. Slaughtering the sick animal
can expose the anthrax spores which can be inhaled by humans if the animal is
infected with anthrax.

 

“Do not eat products from sick or dead animals. Hunters
should not pick sick or dead animals from the bush or forest to be sold for
human consumption. Report any incidence of the sudden death of animals to the
nearest veterinary authorities or the state ministry of agriculture

 

 “Anthrax is treatable
when reported early. Visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of the
signs and symptoms associated with anthrax for prompt treatment.”

Source: ‘They may have anthrax’ — FG warns against slaughtering sick animals for Eid al-Adha

 - NigerianEye
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