The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it is intensifying surveillance at borders into the territory to prevent the entry of anthrax.
This decision comes in response to recent cases of anthrax reported in neighbouring Ghana in June.
Dr Regina Adaulugba, the Director of Veterinary at the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, stated that although Nigeria has not reported any cases of the disease, the FCT administration is strengthening surveillance at border control posts to avert an outbreak.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Adaulugba disclosed that the FCTA will soon launch awareness campaigns targeting herders, butchers, and other stakeholders, as they are at higher risk of coming into contact with the disease.
She explained that this campaign is in line with a directive from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for all states to raise awareness about anthrax.
“The concern is the importation of infected animals from neighbouring countries. There is a risk that it could spread here, so to be on the safe side, we have initiated a sensitization program.
We recently conducted one at Deidei abattoir where we gathered the butchers and meat handlers because they are the most vulnerable.
People involved in animal trading, butchering, and handling, as well as veterinary doctors and personnel working with animals, are at the highest risk and should take necessary precautions.”
Adaulugba also urged residents and butchers to refrain from buying or selling sick animals or slaughtering them and to report any symptoms to nearby veterinary clinics and centres.
“If they observe symptoms such as high fever, sudden death, bleeding from the nose, mouth, or ear, they must report it because these are typical signs of anthrax.
Blood does not clot, so if they witness such symptoms, they should quickly report to the veterinary department, and we can take appropriate measures.”
She further explained that meetings and sensitization workshops are being planned to reach out to Fulani herders and nomadic communities. A committee has already been formed to devise strategies for engaging with them.
“We plan to mass-produce flyers and handbills with illustrations and pictures that will show them what to look out for and measures to take to avoid contracting the disease because they are the ones who will lose animals if they do not take precautions.”
Adaulugba assured that the Emergency Preparedness Department of the Epidemiology unit is well-trained to conduct on-the-spot analysis, carry out active and passive surveillance, and be prepared at all times.
She emphasized the importance of residents contacting veterinary centres before disposing of sick animals.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Shukroh Adeyemi is a first-class graduate of the Department of English, Lagos State University (LASU), for the…
Full list: Names of ex-governors receiving pensions in 10th Senate
No fewer than 13 former governors still receive pension allowances as serving senators in the…
Mmesoma’s father apologises, begs JAMB, Nigerians, to pardon daughter
Mr Romanus Ejikeme, the father of Mmesoma Ejikeme, the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate who…
Asisat Oshoala shortlisted for 2023 Ballon d’Or award
Nigerian football star and Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, has been named as a nominee for the…
3 lessons from the ethnicization of JAMB controversy
OVER the last few days, Irecoiled in horror and disgust as the fairly straightforward case of JAMB exam result fraud by…
Rahinatu Ibrahim, popularly called Ganga, recalled with nostalgia when she first embarked on her journey to the…
