Anthrax: Put Measures in place to prevent further spread of disease -Reps ask NCDC

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives, has urged the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to put in place measures that will stop further spread of anthrax.

The House on Tuesday called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in implementing effective surveillance, vaccination, and awareness campaigns to contain the outbreak, and provide adequate resources and support to affected communities, including compensation for losses incurred due to the outbreak.

The House passed the resolution on Tuesday following a motion under matters of urgent public importance on the need to c the Outbreak of Anthrax discovered in a farm at Gajiri Village, Suleiman, Niger State.

Sponsor of the motion, Hon. Adamu Tanko had noted report of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development concerning the presence of anthrax in Nigeria, recalling that the laboratory test conducted on the collected samples by the National Veterinary Research Institute, has confirmed the first reported case at a livestock farm located in Gayin village along the Abuja Expressway, Suleija, Niger State.

“Similar cases of the diseases were confirmed in Northem Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo with symptoms, including sudden death and blood oozing from natural body openings (nose, ear, mouth, and anal region) and spread through affected livestock, bush meat, and contaminated environments”, he stated.

He expressed oncerna over the potential spread of the disease to other livestock farms in the country and its possible impact on public health.

“Anthrax may affect humans in direct contact with affected animals and contaminated products, with potential inhalation, through spores or wounds”, he said, adding that there was urgent need for proactive measures to prevent spread of Anthrax in Nigeria and protect the health and livelihoods of citizens by placing public health precautions in place.

Such measures he suggested to include  strict surveillance and monitoring of livestock farms, as well as proper disposal of infected animals and contaminated materials amongst others.