The Federal Government said analysis carried out by the human health sector showed that there is a high probability that anthrax outbreak will spread throughout the country.

The Federal Government also the potential impact of the disease on humans is high.

This was disclosed in a joint press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba Vakuru, and the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa on Monday evening.

FMARD earlier confirmed one case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State. He said, “This is the first animal case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the West Africa outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.

Also, on July 13, 2023 Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the sudden deaths of livestock in this farm with eight mortality was reported and the animals who died were observed to have been bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting.

The statement read: “Further investigation is also ongoing to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans. Though human exposure has been reported, there are no reports so far of human symptoms or mortality.

“The FMARD and the NCDC are currently working closely with the Niger State Ministries of Health and Agriculture to identify, isolate and follow up all exposed persons. The NCDC has activated the incident management system at level two today with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response. The risk assessment conducted by the human health sector today remained HIGH for the likelihood of an outbreak and its potential impact on humans.

The FMARD was able to diagnose anthrax and provide early intervention within 48 hours of notification of suspected animal deaths. The Government of Nigeria, through the FMARD and NCDC and other one-health stakeholders, have put measures in place to ensure any outbreak of Anthrax in Nigeria is quickly detected, controlled, and contained.”