The Federal Government has confirmed the first case of anthrax in Nigeria, stating that the disease was detected on a farm in Suleja, Niger State.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that it was “deeply concerned to announce the confirmation of an anthrax case in Niger State, Nigeria.”

Anthrax is a major zoonotic disease caused by bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects ANIMALS such as cattle, sheep, and goats – but can also infect humans, who come into direct contact with infected animals or consume contaminated animal products.

Recall the Federal Government had last week alerted its citizens of the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region and had advised Nigerians to desist from the consumption of hides, otherwise known as ponmo, at the moment.