••• Charges them on vigilance, proper hygiene
Osun State Government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke has sounded a note of warning to the butchers in the State to stay away from the animals infected with the deadly disease, anthrax.
The Director, Veterinary Services Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. (Mrs) Abosede Olatokun gave the warning during a sensitization tour to the butchers at Sabo market, Osogbo, the State Capital.
Mrs Olatokun, identified butchers in the State as one of the major stakeholders in livestock industry, explaining that, “Anthrax” is a bacterial infection that affects animals species like Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Camels, Donkeys, horses, pigs and wildlife.
She noted that the present administration prioritises the health and welfare of the people of the State, thereby calling on the butchers to take caution in order not to infect people with the disease.
The veterinary expert, stressed further that the disease “Anthrax” has a forming bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis which primarily affects animals which can also affect human being who come in direct contact with the infected animal either dead or living.
In his own words, the Deputy Director in the department, Dr. Joseph Tanimowo corroborated Dr. (Mrs) Olatokun, revealing some of the signs that may be seen on an infected animals, which may begin to manifest from 1-8 weeks after exposure to the anthrax spores like fever, chill, cough, muscle aches and weaknesses, chest discomfort and difficulty in breathing.
He added that affected animals are usually found dead without any signs of illness, advancing that dark unclothed blood flowing from body openings like nose, mouth, ear, and anal region of the affected animals, also the carcass does not become stiff after death.
He counselled the butchers not to touch any animal showing signs of the disease, pointing out that the dead or sick animal(s) should be promptly reported to the veterinary authority for proper action, assuring them that the State Government has made provisions for treatment of any infected animal that has not gone beyond control.
While responding , Chairman, Osun Butchers Association, Mr Adebimpe Suleiman, appreciated the State Governor, Senator Adeleke for taking a proactive measure in curbing the spread of the disease in Osun.
The Chairman, however, appealed to the State Government to provide a central Abattoir, adding that having a cattle market in the state will assist both the Government and cattle sellers to prevent buying an infected animal.
Also speaking, one of the members of the association, Mr Isiaka Ojolowo, enjoined the State Government to support the association financially peradventure, if any butcher run into loss as a result of buying an infected cattle.
