File photo: Health officials testing animals for Anthrax disease
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Government has detected six animals infected with Anthrax disease.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.
She said the cases were discovered during surveillance of animals on Lagos Island and Agege areas of the state.
The government had embarked on surveillance and vaccination of animals in recent days to forestall the spread of the deadly Anthrax disease in the state.
Mrs. Emokpae said the infected animals have been confiscated, burnt and buried by officials of the Lagos State Government to prevent its spread.
She, however, noted that no case of human infection has either been identified or reported since the discovery of Anthrax disease in Lagos.
“Human and animal surveillance activities have been stepped up,” the Lagos agriculture ministry top official said.
“Free vaccination activities and monitoring have also been intensified. Animal owners should take advantage of the exercise by coming forward with their herd for inoculation.
“Please report cases of symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services via telephone on 08023427594, 08180703010 or contact the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis that typically affects ruminants such as cows, sheep, and goats.
It is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmissible from animals to humans.
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