The Lagos State Government said it confiscated six animals discovered to have been infected with the anthrax disease.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae, in a statement, revealed that the confiscated animals, which were discovered during surveillance of animals on Lagos Island and Agege, had been burnt and buried by officials of the Lagos State Government to prevent the spread of the disease.
“No case of human infection has either been identified or reported since the discovery of anthrax disease in Lagos,” the statement noted, adding that, “human and animal surveillance activities have been stepped up.”
Meanwhile, to forestall the spread of anthrax disease in the state, the agriculture ministry said it had enhanced the surveillance of abattoirs and slaughter slabs across the state.
The government added that free vaccination of domesticated animals will also be conducted alongside the inspection exercise.
Alerting the public to the discovery of anthrax in the state and the confiscation of infected animals, Emokpae called on animal owners to take advantage of free vaccination by coming forward with their herd.
Recall that the state government, through its Ministry of Agriculture, on Friday, said it had commenced free vaccination of domesticated animals, in order to forestall an outbreak of Anthrax disease in the state.
The Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary, Emokpae, in a statement, revealed that the ministry had also enhanced the surveillance of abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the state.
Emokpae said the vaccination is free of charge and would be conducted alongside the inspection exercise.
She said symptoms of the anthrax disease in infected animals included sudden death, and bleeding from natural orifices – mouth, ear, nose, anus and vulva, in female animals.
According to her, the blood discharge is usually dark and the dead animal will disintegrate quickly and called on members of the public not to go near or touch animals suspected to have contracted the disease.
She said, ”They should immediately report cases of such symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services on 08023427594, 08180703010, or to the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244.
”The state government solicits the cooperation of animal owners as veterinary personnel vaccinate animals.”
Anthrax, an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, affects domesticated animals such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, and wild animals.
Human beings who come in contact with infected animals can also get infected with the disease.
