Anthrax case confirmed in Lagos

On Wednesday, Oyo State issued a caution against buying meat from illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs to avoid contracting Anthrax, as a case of the disease has been confirmed in Lagos State.

Dr Semiu Akibu, the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer of Oyo State, made this statement at the launch of the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases, emphasizing the importance of only purchasing meat from legally authorized abattoirs and slaughter slabs to avoid anthrax-contaminated meat.

Dr Akibu warned that boiling anthrax-contaminated meat at typical cooking temperatures and durations might not kill anthrax spores, so Nigerians should avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat, as well as meat from sick and dead animals (cattle, goats, and sheep), including byproducts like ponmo and milk, to prevent contracting anthrax.

He explained that anthrax spores are resilient and can survive in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals and the environment for decades, making the disease challenging to control or eradicate. Hence, individuals travelling to areas with confirmed anthrax cases within and outside Nigeria are at risk.

“Now, Lagos has a confirmed case of anthrax and unfortunately, a large number of animals move to Lagos daily, so we all need to exercise caution when buying animals. If possible during this period, avoid meat from unknown sources or slaughtered in unknown locations; they are suspects.

Also, sick animals are suspects for anthrax and should not be slaughtered, as they can be carriers of the disease.”

Akibu, who also serves as the state’s field epidemiology officer for the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, mentioned that animals dead from anthrax show bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting, and some may also appear bloated.

He further warned that anthrax can affect humans, causing skin infections, gastrointestinal problems, and breathing difficulties, with symptoms like fever, painless skin sores, severe digestive illness, and difficulty breathing.

Dr Abiodun Abatan, Redisse Attaché at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Development, also cautioned against consuming wild animals like deer, antelopes, and buffalo, as well as food from joints and kiosks, especially during this time, to avoid being served meat from sick animals.

Earlier, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde, Director of Public Health at the Oyo Health Ministry, explained that the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases was inaugurated in Oyo State to address the prevention of emerging and reemerging diseases such as rabies, diphtheria, cholera, and anthrax in the state.

She mentioned that one of the goals of the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases is to increase awareness of these diseases, especially at the grassroots level.

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