Anthrax Outbreak: Plateau State Government to Vaccinate 4.3m Cattle

As part of its preventive measures against anthrax, the Government of Plateau state has disclosed its laid down measures to begin the vaccination of 4.3 million cattle.

Speaking with newsmen, Dr. Sipak Shase, the Director of the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture, said the initiative was to curb the spread of anthrax in the state.

He said that the state government has already bought 200,000 doses of vaccines. ”There is no case of anthrax in the state. Gov. Caleb Mutfwang has instructed that all animals in the state must be vaccinated. “The 17 local government areas will be involved in the exercise with the support of ad hoc staff,” the director said.

Also addressing the butchers in some abattoirs in the state, the director said there is a need for personal hygiene to fight the disease.

Also, Dr. Magdalene Nanven, Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer enlightened the butchers on the need to wear face masks, overalls, and hand gloves, and to be conscious of personal hygiene.

Some butchers who spoke with the news men appreciated the prompt and proactive measures taken by the state government. Mr Ikeana John, a butcher, said, “For the fact that the campaign was brought to the abattoir showed that the state was mindful of us”.

Similarly, Mr Bilal Yusuf, also a butcher, said that support from the government will check any further outbreak.

It had earlier been reported that anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria live in the soil and usually infect wild and domestic animals, such as goats, cattle, and sheep.

Its outbreaks are fairly common worldwide, affecting agricultural workers, and humans become sick with the disease by handling animal products such as wool, hide, or bone from animals infected with the anthrax bacterium.

Agro Nigeria / Foluke Ibitomi