Possible Anthrax Outbreak in Nigeria: FG Issues Public Health Advisory

Cutaneous anthrax

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. 

The Nigerian Federal Government recently confirmed one case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State and issued the following Public Health Advisory. (Click here to read more important information about anthrax that you should know about)

● Exercise caution when buying animals - cows, camels, sheep, goats, and other livestock - from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad, and Niger, and from Ghana and Togo via waterways.
● Carefully observe livestock to be slaughtered for consumption or sale for signs of ill health before slaughtering.
● Do not slaughter animals (cattle, sheep, and goats) at home, rather make use of abattoirs or slaughter slabs.
● Avoid contact with meat/bush meat or animal by-products such as skin, hides ("kpomo") and milk of a sick or dead animal.
● Do NOT SLAUGHTER sick animals. Slaughtering the sick animal can cause significant exposure with the risk of inhalation of the bacteria by humans around at the time.
● Do NOT EAT products from sick or dead animals.
● Hunters SHOULD NOT pick sick or dead animals from the bush or forest to be sold for human consumption.
● Report any incidence of sudden death of animals to the nearest veterinary authorities or the State Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, report this to the State Ministry of Health authorities in case anthrax is confirmed and human contacts need to be managed.
● Anthrax is treatable when reported early. Call the NCDC on our toll-free line (6232) if you notice any of the signs and symptoms associated with anthrax for prompt treatment.

Health Advisory for Healthcare Workers

All animal health professionals/handlers and healthcare workers must maintain infection prevention and control precautions, a high index of suspicion/vigilance, and notify the health authorities (both human and animal) when they see any human or animal with the above-stated symptoms.

Health Advisory for Livestock Owners

● Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against anthrax in livestock. Consult with a veterinarian to develop a vaccination schedule suitable for your specific livestock.

● Use personal protective equipment (gloves, facemasks, goggles, boots) when handling sick animals.

● Do not slaughter sick animals. Slaughtering sick animals can expose the anthrax spores which humans can inhale which will cause severe manifestations of the disease.

● Regularly monitor livestock for any sign of sickness or unusual behaviour.

● Immediately report cases of animals bleeding from body openings to veterinary authorities, or agriculture extension workers. Note: The blood of an animal with anthrax DOES NOT CLOT.

● DO NOT PROCESS or MOVE THE DEAD or SICK ANIMAL, QUICKLY REPORT to your VETERINARY DOCTOR or VETERINARY AUTHORITIES at the Ministry of Agriculture in your state.

● Maintain good hygiene practices on the farm through regular cleaning and disinfection of animal housing, feeding equipment, and water troughs.

● Practice biosecurity measures, such as controlling access to the farm, restricting the movement of animals, and disinfecting vehicles and equipment entering and leaving the premises.

● Ensure a clean and safe water supply for livestock and avoid using water from stagnant sources.

● Sick animals should be isolated and strict quarantine measures implemented to prevent the spread of anthrax to other animals or humans.

● Report all human exposures to animals with anthrax so that preventive treatment can commence if indicated.

Anthrax affects humans in three ways:

● Skin infection, i.e., direct contact with infected animals through wounds or cuts
● Gastrointestinal, i.e., through eating raw or undercooked meat of infected animals or their products including milk.
● Inhalation, i.e., breathing in the spores (the deadliest form of the disease)

Early detection and reporting of suspected anthrax cases in animals or humans is important for implementing effective control measures. If you suspect that you or an animal may have been exposed to anthrax, quickly seek immediate medical care (for humans) or veterinary attention (for animals) or call the FMARD hotline at +234 811 097 2378 or the NCDC hotline at 6232. In the case where a healthcare worker sees a suspected case of anthrax, Call the NCDC 24/7 toll-free line IMMEDIATELY on 6232 or the emergency number of the state Ministry of Health (SMOH).

Citizens should only share information from verified sources like FMARD, The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), NCDC, WHO, etc. Remember sharing inaccurate information, especially on social media may have a deleterious impact on fellow citizens such as causing fear, panic ill health, and even deaths. The Federal Government through the FMARD and FMOH and their units/agencies - the Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services and the NCDC -will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Nigeria.

For further inquiries, contact:
Email: anthrax@fmard.gov.ng | FMARD +234 811 097 2378 Twitter: @FDVPCSNigeria | Facebook: Department of Veterinary & Pest Control Services - FMARD
NCDC Toll-free Number: 6232 | SMS: 08099555577 | WhatsApp: 07087110839 Twitter: @NCDCGov | Facebook: @NCDCgov | Instagram: @NCDCgov | NCDC Media Releases