Anthrax: Ogun Strengthens Animal Disease Surveillance 

With an intensified effort to prevent en­trance of anthrax into Ogun State, the state government is strengthening surveillance and stakeholders’ engagement as of­ficials visit cattle markets and slaughter slabs across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, who led the Risk/Communication Team on a sensitisation visit to Olo­runisola Cattle Market, Isheri, Ifo Local Government and Atokun International Market, Yewa North Local Govern­ment, said the exercise was necessary in order to educate the people about the disease and what they needed to do in­case of an outbreak.

Mr. Adeogun, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Press Officer, Ms. Morolayo Fadairo, stressed that all encompass­ing posture of the activated Emergency Operation Center which comprised of critical stakeholders, to protect public health against the disease, say­ing that compliance by stake­holders dealing with cattle and animals that could be affected by the disease would help pre­vent losses in business and in­vestment of the citizens incase of any outbreak. 

The state Director of Veteri­nary Services, Dr. Taiwo Jolao­so, who was represented by Dr. Adeniyi Tade, maintained that educating stakeholders on the disease was crucial, stressing that Ogun State was known for proactiveness, as it continues awareness on prevention of the disease. 

In his presentations, a vet­erinarian, Dr. Gbenga Afolabi, said the disease is zoonotic in nature as it affects humans and animals, emphasizing on preventive measures such as avoiding contact with infected animals or products, proper cooking of meat, good hygiene, amongst others, as he stressed the importance of early de­tection and prompts medical attention.

Contributing, the represen­tative of World Health Orga­nization (WHO), Mrs. Afolake Ogunlaja, reiterated raising awareness on anthrax disease to avoid it, emphasising early reportage of affected animals to prevent spread of the dis­ease.

In their various contribu­tions, the Seriki Hausawa of Awori, Olorunnisola Cattle Market, Isheri, Alhaji Moham­madu Badamasi, and Seriki Fulani, Atokun International Market, Alhaji Ibrahim Us­man, appreciated the present administration for the aware­ness which they said was apt, promising that they would ensure compliance and abide by all preventive measures maximally so as to prevent the outbreak.