Customs Raises Alarm Over Outbreak Of Livestock Diseases From Niger Republic

By Roland Ekama,Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service has raised the alarm over the outbreak of charcoal anthrax in sheep and cattle from the Republic of Niger into the country.

The Comptroller General of Customs , Hameed Ali in a statement dated 12th December 2019, directed officers and men of the service on the urgent need to place additional precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the diseases through the various land borders across the country.

The statement signed by Comptroller Dimka Victor David on behalf of the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Enforcement, Intelligence and Inspection of the service, reiterated that the disease was first recorded in Tillaberry region , Niger Republic om the 2nd of September 2019 where three cattle were killed.

According to the statement sighted by our correspondent, a total of 100 cattles have been infected with 22 death cases recorded.

It noted that the transmission of the disease to human can be direct or indirectly from the infected animals or due to occupational exposure to contaminated animal product.

The service affirmed that the Minister of Agriculture and livestock had notified the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) of the outbreak of charcoal anthrax variant in sheep and cattle in the country.

“The infectious anthrax agent bacteria can survive for several years in the soil before been ingested by grazing animals.

The statement added that ” Headquarters is in receipt of report which revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had notified the World Organization for Animal Health of an outbreak of charcoal anthrax disease bacterium bacillus anthracis variant in sheep and cattle in the country.

“The disease manifest either as a scratch that could progress into a sepsis or as pulmonary infection due to inhalation of micro organisms sustained in the air without immediate treatment, charcoal anthrax is fatal in 20% of cases.” It added.