The Ogun State Government has called on cattle sellers and butchers to comply with health and safety regulations in order to prevent the spread of anthrax across the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Adeogun, disclosed this, according to a statement on Friday.
Adeogun made the call during a sensitisation visit to Olorunisola Cattle Market, Isheri, Ifo Local Government and Atokun International Market, Yewa North Local Government.
He said, “This sensitisation was necessary in order to educate the people about the disease and what they needed to do in case of an outbreak.
“The emergency operation centre which comprises critical stakeholders is ready to protect public health against anthrax, but compliance by stakeholders dealing with cattle and animals that could be affected by the disease will help prevent losses in business and investment of the citizens in case of any outbreak.”
On her part, the representative of the World Health Organisation Mrs Afolake Ogunlaja, highlighted the importance of early reportage of affected animals in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, a philanthropist, Isaac Akinkunmi, on Friday donated 5,000 doses of anthrax vaccines to Benue State Government in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease among animals and humans in the state.
Recall that Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia recently constituted taskforce on the prevention and control of anthrax disease in the state.
Presenting the vaccines to the committee at the premises of Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Akinkunmi, who is the President of Tito Group of Companies in Makurdi, said that the gesture was part of his company’s modest contribution and support to what state government was doing to avert outbreak of the disease.
