To prevent the spread of the anthrax disease in the state, the Lagos State Government has started offering free vaccinations to domesticated animals through its Ministry of Agriculture.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Agriculture, Olatokunbo Emokpae, revealed in a statement on Friday that the ministry has expanded the state’s monitoring of abattoirs and slaughter slabs.
“Members of the public must not go near or touch animals suspected to have contracted the disease,” the statement read.
“The state government solicits the cooperation of animal owners as Veterinary Personnel vaccinate animals.”
Anthrax is a communicable illness that is attributed to the pathogenic bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The aforementioned species, namely cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, and many wild animals, are subject to its influence.
Emokpae suggests that the vaccination of domesticated animals should be included as a complimentary component of the inspection exercise, without any associated costs.
According to her statement, indications of the Anthrax disease in afflicted animals encompass abrupt mortality and haemorrhaging from physiological openings such as the mouth, ear, nose, anus, and vulva in female specimens.
According to the government official, it is typically seen that the blood discharge tends to exhibit a black hue, while the process of decomposition for deceased animals is characterised by a rapid disintegration.
