Ondo govt cautions residents over anthrax

The Ondo State government has advised residents on the importance of taking preventive measures against contracting Anthrax disease and its treatment.

Prof. Dayo Faduyile, the Special Adviser on Health to Ondo State government, who gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday in Akure, warned against the delayed in the treatment of Anthrax disease.

“Anthrax is fatal if untreated or in delayed treatment,” Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, said.

According to him, Anthrax is agonising because it makes infected person experience discomfort and “makes one sicker and sicker if left untreated immediately.”

He said that the disease could be contracted through exposure to infected animals, skin hides and their products as well as eating poorly cooked infected animals.

“Anthrax is a sickness caused by spore forming bacteria. The spore can be used for bioterrorism. It can cause inhalation sickness, skin sores and gastrointestinal sickness.

“It could be transmitted through exposure to spores, exposure to infected animals, skin hides and there products, eating poorly cooked infected animals. It cannot be transmitted from man to man.

“The symptoms involve skin sores, shortness of breath, body pain, aches, cough, stomach pain, fever.

“People should guide against contact with infected animals. If there is contact with infected animal, see doctor to ensure proper treatment with antibiotics,” he said.

Faduyile urged the people to pay adequate and regular attention to the stated symptoms and report to medical facility for immediate diagnosis, treatment when they notice any of the symptoms.

According to reports, Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium, which mainly affects animals.