Osun Commissioner Warns Butchers, Cattle Dealers Over Outbreak of Charcoal Anthrax Disease

By ABIODUN JIMOH
Cattle butchers and dealers in Osun State have been urged to ensure total prevention of outbreak of charcoal anthrax disease reported to have emanated from the sheep and cattle imported from Republic of Niger into Nigeria.
This was contained in a press release made available to journalists on Wednesday by Segilola Babalola, Press Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in the state, Hon. Adedayo Adewole gave this charged at a one day seminar organized  for the Association of Cattle Butchers and Dealers in the state by the department of veterinary services, held at the ministry conference hall, Abere.
The commissioner, represented by the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Dr. Mrs. Abosede Olatokun hinted that this disease is a communicable one that can spread fast once they eat or smell the affected animal.
Also, she urged cattle dealers to be vigilant and immediately report any incident of dead animal that blood gushes out of its mouth, eyes and nose at the department of veterinary services, and also be wary of touching such animal as prevention is better than cure.
Speaking earlier at the seminar, the representative of the department of the Federal Veterinary Services in the state, Dr. Bisong stressed that the disease occurred directly or indirectly through contact with infected animals and once such animal is eaten, they would have stomach upset.
He revealed some signs and symptoms of anthrax diseases such as blood gushing out from the eyes, mouth and nose after the death of the affected animal.
He hereby advised cattle dealers not to buy cheap or sick cattle or sheep so that they would not be victims of the disease, and to publicize the outbreak of the disease.
In his response, one of the members of the cattle dealers association, Mr. Fatai Olayiwola tasked government to put the necessary machinery in place to curb this deadly disease through adequate vaccine, so that it will not affect their source of income.