By Stella Obi
Oyo State Government has sensitised butchers and livestock dealers on the deadly anthrax disease, as it strengthens surveillance of abattoirs for detection and prevention of the animal diseases.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye said it is part of the state government’s efforts to forestall the outbreak of anthrax disease in the state.
According to him, anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in the soil and affects domestic and wild animals.
He said people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Olaleye said the awareness was to inform stakeholders, especially butchers, cattle dealers/sellers, and consumers, on the need to guard against anthrax disease.
The commissioner stated that there was currently no suspected or confirmed case of anthrax in the state; rather, preventive measures must be adhered to.
He said the essence of the sensitisation was to create awareness on the preventive and control measures to tackle the menace of anthrax.
According to him, butchers and cattle dealers/sellers need to know the symptoms of anthrax disease and how to prevent it.
“The state government under the leadership of Seyi Makinde has put every machinery in place with necessary stakeholders to curtail the outbreak of the anthrax. Part of it is that information has been sent to all veterinary doctors and directors of agriculture across the 33 local governments in the state to be on red alert”.
The commissioner, however, called on the association of butchers, cattle dealers, and cattle sellers to support the government’s effort in preventing anthrax by ensuring that the cattle to be slaughtered were well observed by the veterinary Doctors.
He also advised the general public to be cautioned on animals they consume, having in mind that the disease can only be contracted through animals.
The commissioner said the deadly disease that had claimed some lives was a bacteria disease that affects both animals and man.
