The Lagos state government says six animals in the state have been confirmed to have anthrax disease.
Anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. It typically affects ruminants such as cows, sheep, and goats.
It is a zoonotic disease transmissible from contaminated animals to humans.
Humans can get infected if they handle or are involved in the slaughter of a sick animal, or are in contact with contaminated animal products.
Announcing in a statement on Sunday, Olatokunbo Emokpae, the permanent secretary of, the Ministry of Agriculture, said the cases were discovered during surveillance of animals on Lagos Island and Agege.
According to Emokpae, he said the animals have been confiscated, burnt, and buried, to prevent the spread of the disease.
She said no case of human infection has either been identified or reported since the discovery of anthrax disease in Lagos.
She added that human and animal surveillance have been stepped up and free vaccination has been intensified.
“Animal owners should take advantage of the exercise by coming forward with their herd for inoculation,” the statement reads.
‘“Please report cases of animal symptoms to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Director of Veterinary Services via telephone on 08023427594, 08180703010 or contact the Veterinary Epidemiologist on 08023328244.”
A spore-forming bacterium causes anthrax. It mainly affects animals. Humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores.
Symptoms depend on the route of infection. They can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing. Antibiotic treatment cures most infections. Inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.
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