The Lagos State Government has confirmed cases of anthrax-infected animals in the state while disclosing that six of the sick animals were confiscated, burned, and buried.
Olatokunbo Emokpae, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, revealed this in a statement on Sunday.
Emokpae stated that the cases were identified during animal surveillance on Lagos Island and in the state’s Agege district.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the outbreak has been verified in Niger and Plateau. With the confirmation from Emokpae, Lagos state becomes the country’s third state with a disease outbreak.
She stated that no cases of human infection have been detected or reported since the disease’s discovery in Lagos.
Emokpae said, “With the confirmation of anthrax in the state, no case of human infection has either been identified or reported since the discovery of anthrax disease in Lagos.
“Human and animal surveillance activities have been stepped up, and free vaccination activities and monitoring have also been intensified.
“Please report cases of symptoms in animals to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Director of Veterinary Services via telephone on 08023427594, 08180703010 or contact the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244.”
She also stated that animal monitoring will be performed through intense observation, while encouraging animal owners to take advantage of the free, continuous immunization program.
Chronicle NG previously reported that the Federal Government has declared that surveillance will be offered in slaughterhouses around the country as it begins free anthrax disease inoculation of animals.
