By Hallimah Olamide
The Kwara Government has rolled out a new Public Health Adivory measures to curb the spread of Anthrax into the state.
The measure follows Federal Government’s confirmation of anthrax outbreak in a multi-specie animal farm at Gajiri, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger.
The state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Veterinary Services, released the new Public Health Advisory on Tuesday in Ilorin with a view to preventing the disease from entering the state.
Dr Abdullateef Olugbon, the Director of Veterinary Services, encouraged livestock owners and stakeholders in livestock business to increase their alertness and ensure prompt reporting of suspicious illness and death of their animals.
He advised members of the public to exercise caution when buying animals from neighbouring Niger and other states bordering Republic of Benin, Chad, Niger, Ghana and Togo via waterways.
Olugbon also advised butchers to avoid slaughtering of animals at home and other illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs.
He enjoined butchers to desist from slaughtering sick animals for public consumption, and avoid selling or eating products from sick or dead animals such as skin, hides and milk.
Besides, the director urged the general public, especially livestock value chain operators, to increase their good hygiene practice by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals or their products.
Olugbon said that livestock farmers and the public should report any suspected cases of anthrax symptoms such as bleeding from body openings like the nose, eyes, anus and ears, to the nearest veterinary authorities or the state Ministry of Agriculture and its offices across the state.
The state government had earlier warned the public about the outbreak of the disease in some neignbouring West African countries that claimed some human lives, especially in northern Ghanian border.
The disease is caused by a spore forming bacteria known as “Bacillus anthracis”, which occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals.
It can also be transmitted to human beings through contact with infected animals and animal products such as meat, milk, hides and skin.