Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has donated 50,000 doses of Anthrax Vaccines to the Lagos State Government to mitigate the spread of the anthrax disease to animals and humans, and to ensure the safety of the livestock Sub Sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture at State Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, recently, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (FMARD), Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, represented by the Deputy Director Veterinary and Pests Control Services, Dr. Abdulkareem Durosinlorun, said that donation of the vaccines would fast track Vaccination of animals against the disease and ensure that the butchers sell healthy meat, as well as safeguard the livestock sub sector.
According to Umakhihe, anthrax is an infectious zoonosis disease that is caused by bacteria. It affects both domestic and wild animals and can also affect human, especially those working closely with infected animals.
“The bacteria which exist as spores, can be found in the soil, wool or hair of infected animals.
“Animals can be infected when they breath in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plant or water. And humans can get it when they inhale or breath in the spores, eat contaminated meat, or come in contact with the skin through wounds or cuts while handling a sick or dead anthrax infected animal,” he stated.
Afolabi, appealed to the State Government for robust public awareness and sensitisation engagement among stakeholders towards prevention and control of the disease in Lagos State.
