Enugu Govt advises residents not to panic over Anthrax outbreak

<h2>The Enugu Government has urged its residents not to panic as the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development is on alert and proactive to prevent anthrax outbreak in the state.</h2>, <p>State's Epidemiologist stated that the state ministry for agriculture and rural development, veterinary services department will embark on an anthrax programme of enlightenment through the media and visual awareness programmes using infographics.</p>, <span>Enugu Govt advises residents not to panic over Anthrax outbreak shutterstock</span>, <p>Dr Cosmas Omeh, State Epidemiologist and Disease Reporting Officer in the Ministry’s Veterinary Services Department, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Enugu.</p>, <p>NAN reports that Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium, which mainly affects animals. Human beings can become infected with anthrax through contact with an infected animal alive or dead as well as by inhaling spores.</p>, <p>The symptoms of anthrax can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing. However, antibiotic treatment cures most infections. Inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.</p>, <p>Omeh said: ”residents should not panic. The veterinary Services Department is alert and proactive to protect the health of all by daily ensuring disease-free, fit and wholesome meat for human consumption in all markets.</p>, <p>”Area Veterinary Officers and Surveillance Officers at the Zonal and LGAs, have been the mandate to watch out for the clinical signs/ symptoms of anthrax daily,” he told NAN.</p>, <p>The state epidemiologist noted that the clinical signs/ symptoms of anthrax included: sudden death, bleeding from the orifices such as mouth, nose, ear and anus, rapid bloating, absence of rigor mortis, swelling from the face and neck of an animal.</p>, <p>He said that vet doctors are to report any irregularities immediately through the appropriate channel, knowing full well the implications of anthrax a