The Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) has deployed all necessary apparatus including the World Health Organisation (WHO) approach to fighting the dreadful diseases to curtail the outbreak of Anthrax in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, said though the outbreak of the disease in Niger State was worrisome.
According to him, Nigeria was prepared to tackle anthrax the same way it did triumphantly against COVID-19.
Dr Adetifa said contact-tracing of those who had contact with the first identified case in the country has began in earnest to curtail the virus from spreading further.
Anthrax in Niger State
The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria had on Monday confirmed anthrax in Niger state.
In a statement, he explained that on Friday July 14 there was report of strange symptoms of the disease such as oozing of blood from body openings such as the anus, nose, eyes and ears in some animals in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
He maintained that they have started conducting ring vaccination for those who had in one way or the other had contact with the affected animals and its personnel have assisted in disposing the dead animals.
Dr Adetifa also stressed that some items needed to be disposed around the area the disease was discovered have also been safely disposed.
The NCDC Director General identified those at high risk of contracting the disease to include veterinarians, caregivers, those who work in abattoirs, poultry as well as those who may have had contact with animals who had anthrax.
Other people at risk of contracting the disease are those that eat contaminated animals.
He added that sensitisation campaigns have been intensified to educated Nigerians on how best to react to the issue and stop it from spreading.
RN