Oyo Government, Stakeholders Collaborate to Avert Outbreak of Anthrax 

The Oyo State Government has sought the collaborative efforts of relevant stakeholders to avert the outbreak of anthrax disease in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the state’s Technical Working Group, said the government was leaving no stone unturned in preventing the outbreak of the disease and re-emergence of other diseases.

Adeyanju, who spoke through the Director, Public Health, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde, at the Emergency Operation Center, Yemetu, Ibadan, called on members of the group to work as a team and map out strategies that would enhance the success of the committee, disclosing that members of the group had been put into different pillars to ensure the effectiveness of the group.

He said: “For the effectiveness of this group, we have ensured that this group together, has different pillars. Members of different pillars have come together, like the Risk Communication Group, we have the Case Management Group, those that will look after cases if they occurred. The Risk Communication Group is to sensitise and create awareness in the community.

“We have the Surveillance Group, working within communities and health facilities to ensure that there is no disease or if any disease comes up, it is reported promptly. Relevant stakeholders from the agricultural sector and veterinary doctors are here, looking at it holistically so that we can work together to achieve more,” Adeyanju explained.

On his part, Dr Abiodun Abatan of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture submitted that human nature diseases emanate from animals.

Abatan advocated the use of veterinary laboratories in the state, random blood samples and proper testing for animals to know the status of rams and cows to be slaughtered for distribution or consumption.

He appealed to all and sundry to be conversant with the source of the meat to consume to prevent unforeseen circumstances.

Part of the submissions of stakeholders at the meeting was mass annual vaccination of animals, waging war against those operating illegal abattoirs in the state, community sensitisation and introduction of certified meat seller shops at strategic points, among others.

Dominica Nwabufo