By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
Last week, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) confirmed the index case of anthrax disease in the country.
The FMARD said that the case was observed at a farm in Suleja local government area of Niger State, in Nigeria’s North Central.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that it was notified on 13th July 2023, of the sudden deaths of livestock on this farm with eight mortality reported.
The statement signed by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Columba Vakuru said “The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep, and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes, and ears,”
What is Anthrax?
The NCDC defines anthrax disease as “a severe disease caused by the bacteria – Bacillus anthracis”.
The bacteria, the NCDC says can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals, ranging from wild animals and livestock such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, etc.
Similarly, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says that the spores of the bacteria can survive in the environment for years or decades, awaiting uptake by the next host.
“People get infected with anthrax when spores get into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the body, they can be “activated.” When they become active, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in the body, produce toxins (poisons), and cause severe illness. This can happen when people breathe in spores, eat food or drink water that is contaminated with spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin,” Africa CDC says.
Based on the NCDC’s advisory, a major concern about the Anthrax disease is the resistance of its spores to extreme conditions.
Nigerians must know that the NCDC has established that anthrax spores can survive in the soil or environment for decades.
These characteristics of the disease make management of the disease “very difficult”.
With wet weather, deep digging, or when eaten by livestock or wild animals when they graze, the disease is brought to the surface, thereby increasing the chances of its transmission.
How can Anthrax be contacted?
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that anthrax can be contacted in three ways.
- Skin infection, i.e., direct contact with infected animals through wounds or cuts
- Gastrointestinal, i.e., through eating raw or undercooked meat of infected animals or their products including milk.
- Inhalation, i.e., breathing in the spores (the deadliest form of the disease)
Symptoms of Anthrax
Anthrax affects humans and animals differently.
The symptoms of anthrax in animals range from high fever, weakness, loss of appetite, bleeding from all body openings (nose, mouth, ears, anus, etc.), swelling and difficulty in breathing, and bloody diarrhea. It can lead to sudden death in most cases.
In humans, depending on the type (described above) and route of infection, anthrax can cause fever, painless skin sores with a black center that appears after the blisters, general body weakness, and difficulty in breathing. It can also cause severe digestive illness that resembles food poisoning.
“If anthrax is not identified and treated promptly, it can cause pneumonia, serious lung issues, breathing difficulties, shock, and death. Symptoms of anthrax include flu-like symptoms like coughing, fever, and muscular aches,” the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) warns.
What are the best ways to curb anthrax outbreaks?
The Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) has enjoined livestock owners and healthcare workers to exercise an increased level of caution and suspicion to forestall exposure to the disease.
The NCDC advises caution in the sale and purchase of livestock, especially from areas flagged for the outbreak of the disease.
Early detection and reporting of suspected anthrax cases in animals or humans is important for implementing effective control measures, the NCDC says.
The WHO also advises on preventing the disease in animals to protect human health.
“Breaking the cycle of infection is the basis for control of anthrax in livestock. If a potential infectious source is known to exist, this should be eliminated without delay.
“In the event of a case or outbreak occurring in livestock, control measures consist of correct disposal of the carcass(es), decontamination of the site(s) and of items used to test and dispose of the carcass(es), and initiation of treatment and/or vaccination of other animals as appropriate. The best disposal method is incineration. The carcass should not be opened, since exposure to oxygen will allow the bacteria to form spores.
“Early detection of outbreaks, quarantine of affected premises, destruction of diseased animals and fomites, and implementation of appropriate sanitary procedures at abattoirs and dairy factories will ensure the safety of products of animal origin intended for human consumption,”
Is Anthrax treatable?
“Anthrax is treatable when reported early,” the NCDC maintains.
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that anthrax is treated using antibiotics prescribed by a medical professional.
“Hospitalization is required for all human cases of anthrax. Individuals potentially exposed to anthrax spores may be provided with prophylactic treatment,” it said.
The WHO however warns against unprescribed use of antibiotics or any other drugs for treatment or protection against anthrax.
