Babatunde Salako, director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), has urged the federal government to support vaccination for animals and their handlers to curb the spread of anthrax.

Mr Salako, in an interview in Lagos on Wednesday, said paying attention to live stocks and their handlers would prevent transmission of the disease.

“Vaccination for animals and people targeting those at risk will greatly reduce the spread of the disease, morbidity and mortality resulting from it.

“The government should support those in animal husbandry to access vaccine for their stock and help farmers who in the course of the epidemic may lose their stock to prevent catastrophic economic loss,” he said.

The NIMR boss said livestock and their handlers should be given further attention and teach the public how to prevent the spread of the disease.

The director-general further said disease surveillance was also key, especially among animals in transit.

He urged the Nigeria Centre Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture to cooperate to coordinate public health response and achieve synergy for impact.

According to him, the country can receive and process samples for diagnosis.

“NCDC should come out with clear instructions on how to handle infected animals and people, more awareness among the public about the symptoms and signs should be intensified through the media,’’ he said.

Mr Salako advised Nigerians to adhere strictly to all guidelines from the NCDC and the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of anthrax. 

On July 17, the federal government confirmed the country’s index case of Anthrax disease.

Anthrax is primarily a zoonotic disease in herbivores caused by Bacillus anthracis, which affects animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.

(NAN)