Anthrax: Alia Inaugurates 15 Member Taskforce On Prevention, Charges Team On Strict Monitoring Of Livestock

By Lateef Taiwo

Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has charged members of the taskforce on prevention and control of anthrax disease in the state to do everything possible within their powers to stop the disease from entering the state.

The governor who gave the charge yesterday while inaugurating the 15 Member Taskforce during a ceremony at government house Makurdi, recalled that anthrax disease said to be contracted through infected or contaminated animal products was first reported in Nigeria at a farm in Niger State,near the Federal Capital Territory Abuja on July 17.

He described as fatal the health implications anthrax disease poses to both humans and animals according to the World Health Organization,WHO, and urged the team to ensure effective public sensitization on symptoms for necessary actions as well as identify, isolate and institute immediate actions in suspected animals, humans and or the environment.

Governor Alia who promised the taskforce his administration’s necessary encouragement and logistics support to enable them succeed in the task ahead, equally charged the committee to ensure the vaccination of all cattle, sheep, goats and pigs in the state.

He also implored the team to advised appropriate authorities on the control and prevention of the disease, ensure strict monitoring of the state entry points for all livestock’s as well as to clear and issue right of passage on vehicles under inspection and collection of user/ hazards fees for the state government.

Responding on behalf of the 15- member taskforce, Chairman of the team Dr Edward Amali, assured the governor that the team would be proactive in carrying out the assignment as well as to support government in fighting to prevent it’s entry in the state.

The taskforce whose membership include Doctors Ediga Achegbulu, Terungwa Ikye-Tor, Gabriel Sule, Joshua Abuku, Emmanuel Atser, Gabriel Atser, Igbabul Shembe Agela, Chile Tersoo, Tughgba Terzungwe, Nguavese Akange Eleye, Mike Tion, Kenneth Bem Iortyom, David Shehu and Ephraim Boya is cut across the ministries of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, University of Agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture as well as the Nigerian Police.