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Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
As palpable fear continue to envelope Plateau State over reported case of an outbreak of the deadly anthrax disease, the Plateau State Government has said it was not aware of the death of over 1000 cattle in the state.
Though, the government confirmed two suspected outbreak cases, it however called on the people to report any strange illness to the authorities for speedy action as efforts are on to determine the infections.
The Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere said in a statement he signed in Jos, said the story making the rounds in social media was “far from the truth.”
The reports allegedly coming out from the troubled Mangu Local Government Area of the state, said Bere was for “the avoidance of doubt, there is no such incident in any part of Mangu Local Government Area” especially that the government has not been informed.
However, “The government, therefore advises the General public, particularly members of the said communities to disregard the misleading story and assured Plateau people that a team of epidemiologists has been sent to the affected communities on the instruction of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ascertain the truth of the story to prevent loss of lives.
“However, there are two suspected cases of anthrax disease in two communities in the state. The samples have been taken to National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom for thorough assessment and further investigation.
“While waiting for the outcome, Government would like to make it clear that there was no mass death of 1,000 cows in the mentioned areas as reported in the story.
“It is instructive to note that the risk of contracting human cases of anthrax increases with exposure to infected animals, their meat, or hides”, he stressed.
The government has since directed the Epidemiology unit of the Ministry of Health and the Veterinary unit of the Ministry of Agriculture to address the issues with every sense of urgency, as members of the public are advised to observe the following to avoid contracting the anthrax disease:
“Avoid contact with infected livestock and animal skins as much as possible, avoid eating meat that has not been properly cooked and quickly call the attention of the authorities when there is suspicion of a sick animal or persons,” the statement said.
People from the communities mentioned are therefore advised to go about their normal activities and report any strange signs or any unusual activities for swift intervention by the relevant authorities.
