[PULSE.NG] Dr Cosmas Omeh, State Epidemiologist and Disease Reporting Officer in the Ministry’s Veterinary Services Department, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Enugu.NAN reports that Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium, which mainly affects animals. Human beings can become infected with anthrax through contact with an infected animal alive or dead as well as by inhaling spores.
The symptoms of anthrax can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing. However,
some men learn by reading. A few learn by observation. The rest have to pee on the electric fence for themselves...
antibiotic treatment cures most infections. Inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.
Omeh said: "residents should not panic.
I do occasionally wonder what The Authorities consider sufficient grounds for panic.
The veterinary Services Department is alert and proactive to protect the health of all by daily ensuring disease-free, fit and wholesome meat for human consumption in all markets.
Say you set fire to yourself. Don't panic! Stop, drop, and roll.
"Area Veterinary Officers and Surveillance Officers at the Zonal and LGAs, have been the mandate to watch out for the clinical signs/ symptoms of anthrax daily," he told NAN.
Robbers smashing your front door in with an ax? Don't panic! Call 911.
The state epidemiologist noted that the clinical signs/ symptoms of anthrax included: sudden death, bleeding from the orifices such as mouth, nose, ear and anus, rapid bloating, absence of rigor mortis, swelling from the face and neck of an animal.
Sudden death? Don't panic! You're dead. When I wake up in the morning without rigor mortis I've always considered that a good sign.
He said that vet doctors are to report any irregularities immediately through the appropriate channel, knowing full well the implications of anthrax as a zoonotic and reportable disease in veterinary medicine.
Zoonotic and reportable disease? Don't panic! Call a vet.
"Our veterinary officers and area vet officers are already sensitising the stakeholders in the animal business which includes animal handlers, butchers, livestock owners and merchants, on the dangers of concealing information or even coming in contact with affected animals.
Massive nuclear attack incinerates half the nation? Don't panic! I'm not sure why not.
"We have warned handlers of meat to wear protective materials and maintain optimal personal and business place hygiene as well as ensure that carcasses of animals which have died from, or are suspected to have died from Anthrax, must not be opened.
"They should ensure immediate notification of suspected disease through competent authority (Veterinary Services staff or the nearest Veterinarian).
"Milk, meat, wool, hair, hides and skin from animals showing clinical signs should not be removed from the carcass but disposed of following standard operating procedures.
"They should seek medical advice if any of the following occur: if a person feels unwell following handling of suspected or infected carcass or animal; or exposure without appropriate personal protective equipment to suspected or infected animal," he said.
Omeh said that there should be appropriate disposal of potentially infected things; decontamination of affected premises and potentially infected items, equipment and facilities (stables/shed), using formalin, peracetic acid, formaldehyde under different concentration and time duration.