The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced an outbreak of Anthrax in Zamfara State.
Anthrax, a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, originates from spores naturally found in the soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals.
In a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, the ministry highlighted that Anthrax, classified as a notifiable disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), poses a high risk of causing significant morbidity and mortality.
In 2023, the first outbreak was confirmed in Niger State. This announcement marks the ministry’s first disease notice since its establishment in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, as it calls for heightened vigilance and proactive measures.
The statement said, “The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development wishes to officially notify the public of a confirmed outbreak of Anthrax in a farm in Zamfara State.
“This development calls for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with the disease.
“Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease that can affect various warm-blooded animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and wildlife, as well as humans.
“It is listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) due to its potential to cause high morbidity and mortality.
“In animals and humans, symptoms of Anthrax include fever, coughing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, itching, and bleeding from major openings.”
The ministry emphasised that Anthrax is preventable through coordinated efforts, including risk assessments, surveys, and ring vaccination of susceptible animals in high-risk areas. It stressed the importance of prompt detection and response to contain its spread.
“In light of the outbreak, the Ministry calls on stakeholders, especially states bordering Zamfara, to take immediate steps to prevent further spread of the disease” Goong said.
The ministry also assured Nigerians of its commitment to collaborating while urging the public to remain vigilant, report any unusual illnesses in animals or humans, and adhere to all preventive guidelines issued by relevant authorities.
