The House of Representatives has resolved to curtail the outbreak of anthrax discovered in a farm at Gajiri Village in Niger State by directing relevant government agencies to arrest the outbreak.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance by Adamu Tanko (PDP-Niger) on the floor of the House in Abuja on Tuesday.

In the motion, Mr Tanko noted that the report of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development concerning the presence of anthrax in Nigeria was disturbing.

He said the laboratory test conducted on the collected samples by the National Veterinary Research Institute confirmed the first reported case at a livestock farm.

He explained that similar cases of the diseases were confirmed in Northern Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo, with symptoms including sudden death and blood oozing from natural body openings

These include the nose, ear, mouth, and anal regions and spread through affected livestock, bush meat, and contaminated environments.

He expressed concern over the potential spread of the disease to other livestock farms in the country and its possible impact on public health, stating that anthrax might affect humans in direct contact with affected animals and contaminated products, with potential inhalation through spores or wounds.

He said there was a need for proactive measures to prevent the spread of anthrax in Nigeria and protect the health and livelihoods of citizens by placing public health precautions in place.

He, therefore, called for strict surveillance and monitoring of livestock farms, as well as proper disposal of infected animals and contaminated materials.

Mr Tanko also commended the efforts of the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development in implementing necessary measures to contain the spread of anthrax and protect both livestock and human health.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in implementing effective preventive measures to contain the outbreak, such as surveillance, vaccination, and awareness campaigns, and to provide adequate resources and support to affected communities, including compensation for losses incurred due to the outbreak.

The House also urged the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to put in place measures that would stop the further spread of anthrax and mandated the committees on Agricultural Production and Services, and Legislative Compliance, when constituted, to monitor the containment of the disease.

(NAN)