FG warns of Nigeria's high risk of anthrax outbreak.

 The risk assessment done by the human health sector showed that there was a high chance of an outbreak of the disease in the country.

 The FG said that the impact of the disease on humans is high.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria signed a joint statement on Monday night.

The Director General of NCDC is Dr Ifedayo Adetifa.

 The incident management system at level two has been activated by the government.

There was a case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm.

 This is the first animal case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the West Africa outbreak.

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

After this report, samples were collected from multiple species in this livestock farm and transported to the National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, for testing and the results were positive for anthrax.

Further investigation is ongoing to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans.

There have been no reports of human symptoms or death.

The NCDC and the FMARD are working closely with the state ministries of health and agriculture to identify and follow up all exposed persons.

 The incident management system has been activated by the NCDC at level two.

 The risk assessment conducted by the human health sector today remained high for the likelihood of an outbreak and its impact on humans.

Within 48 hours of notification of suspected animal deaths, the FMARD was able to diagnose and provide early intervention.

 The Government of Nigeria, through the NCDC and other one-health stakeholders, have put measures in place to ensure an outbreak of Anthrax in Nigeria is quickly detected, controlled, and contained.

Anthrax is a disease caused by a bacterium.

 It can affect both humans and animals.