Kwara state constitutes Committee on Prevention, Control of Anthrax Disease
The Kwara State Government has constituted a committee to prevent and control the likely outbreak of Anthrax disease in the state.
The committee was formed as one in a series of proactive measures taken by the government to ensure the disease does not enter Kwara State.
This committee was headed by Dr Idiat Aminu, whose primary responsibility is to ensure prompt response to any report on suspected cases of the disease at livestock farms, Kara cattle markets and other areas with the aforementioned symptoms.
Livestock farmers were also strongly advised to report cases of the disease to the nearest veterinary offices in the 16 local government areas of the state or call the committee chairperson on designated numbers.
The Ministry issued a press release in Ilorin, through the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Abdullahi Kayode Abdulwahab, “The state government, appealed to the general public, especially the livestock farmers to be vigilant and report any unusual happenings, such as sickness or sudden death of animals in their farms.
“Anthrax is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and human beings which has claimed some lives in neighbouring countries.
“The disease cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another but individuals can be infected if the person comes in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products such as meat, hide and skin,” the statement read.
To prevent and control the spread of the disease in animals, the statement disclosed that annual vaccination with anthrax spore vaccines is available at the Veterinary Hospital, Adewole Area in Ilorin, and all State Government Veterinary Offices across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.
“Animal owners are therefore advised to intensify efforts on annual vaccination of their animals and proper disposal of infected dead animals by burying them deep in the soil after applying disinfectant chemicals,” the statement added.
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