ANTHRAX: Lagos Warns Residents Three Things They Must Do

As it announces its resolve to containing the spread of Anthrax, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture is at the same time warning residents how best to keep safe.

Part of the resolve, it says, is to conduct free vaccination of domesticated animals alongside scheduled surveillance of all slaughter slabs and abattoirs in Lagos.

But that is not all. Much more importantly it says, are these three things”

1. Residents MUST NOT go near or touch animals suspected to have contacted the disease

2. They should immediately report cases of symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services on 08023427594, 08180703010

3. They could also report to the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244.

The government gave these directives via its verified Twitter handle @followlasg

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Expatiating on the three things that residents must do, it said all domesticated animals including cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, and wild animals can contract the infectious anthrax, which is brought on by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.

Also, people who come into contact with diseased animals may contract the illness as well.

 “In order to forestall the prevalence of Anthrax disease, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture has enhanced the surveillance of abattoirs and slaughter slabs in the State.

 “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.

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“The vaccination of domesticated animals free of charge will also be conducted alongside the inspection exercise.

“Symptoms of the Anthrax disease in infected animals include sudden death, bleeding from natural orifices – mouth, ear, nose, anus, and vulva, in female animals. The blood discharge is usually dark and the dead animal will disintegrate quickly”, it said.