The Kwara State Government has constituted a Prevention and Control Committee to work towards preventing the spread of anthrax to the state. This followed the reported outbreak and spread of the disease in some neighbouring West African countries.

The committee, which is headed by Dr. Idiat Aminu, is to, among other responsibilities, ensure prompt response to reports of suspected cases of the anthrax disease at any of the state's livestock farms, Kara markets and any other area in the state.

This was disclosed, in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, by the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Abdullahi Kayode Abdulwahab.

According to the statement, the state government has stressed the need for the residents, especially the livestock farmers, to be vigilant, more circumspect and promptly report any unusual happenings, such as sickness or sudden death of animals, in their farms to the Committee as well as appropriate Veterinary authorities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

“Anthrax is a bacteria disease that affects both animals and human beings which has claimed some lives in the neighbouring countries,” according to the statement “The disease cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another, but individuals can be infected if the person comes in contact with an infected animal or contaminated animal products such as meat, hide and skin.”

According to the statement, the state government has stressed the need for the residents, especially the livestock farmers, to be vigilant, more circumspect and promptly report any unusual happenings, such as sickness or sudden death of animals, in their farms to the Committee as well as appropriate Veterinary authorities across the 16 local government areas of the state.

“Anthrax is a bacteria disease that affects both animals and human beings which has claimed some lives in the neighbouring countries,” according to the statement “The disease cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another, but individuals can be infected if the person comes in contact with an infected animal or contaminated animal products such as meat, hide and skin.”