The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians to the outbreak of a zoonotic disease, Anthrax, in Zamfara State.
The Director of Information and Public Relations Department in the Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr. Ben Goong, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the outbreak occurred in a farm in Zamfara.
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis that can affect warm-blooded animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and wildlife as well as humans with potential high morbidity and mortality.
The disease could be spread through contact with the bacterium’s spores which often appear in infectious animal products or by-products.
Its symptoms include fever, coughing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, headaches, itching, and bleeding from major openings.
Goong urged stakeholders and states bordering Zamfara to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease.
The statement read: “We urge the public to remain vigilant, report any unusual illnesses in animals or humans, and adhere to all preventive guidelines issued by relevant authorities.
“While Anthrax is preventable through coordinated efforts such as risk assessment, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals in high-risk areas, prompt detection and response are critical to containing its spread.
“The ministry remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure a swift and effective response.”