Oyo state government has sought collaboration with relevant stakeholders to avert the outbreak of anthrax disease in the state, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, says.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed this on Thursday in Ibadan while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the State’s Technical Working Group on the prevention of Anthrax disease.
Adeyanju, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Public Health, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde, said government would leave no stone unturned to prevent the disease’s outbreak.
”This has been done not only to prevent an outbreak but also a re-emergence of other diseases in every part of the state,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that members of the technical working group have been put into different pillars to ensure the effectiveness of the group.
He called on members of the group to work as a team and map out strategies that would enhance the success of the committee.
Adeyanju added that the technical working group would look into the emergence of Anthrax and re-emergence of other diseases.
”The group will then look into how to prevent people in Oyo state from having these diseases.
“We have the surveillance group, working within communities and health facilities to ensure that there is no disease or if any disease comes up, it is reported promptly,” he said.
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Stakeholders from the agriculture sector and veterinary doctors are members of the group.
They will work in collaboration with other group members to achieve desired results.
In his remarks, Dr Abiodun Abatan of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture submitted that human nature diseases emanated from animals.
Abatan advocated the use of veterinary laboratory in the state, random blood samples and proper testing of animals.
”This is in order to know the health status of rams and cows to be slaughtered for distribution or consumption.”
He appealed to all and sundry to be conversant with the source of the meat they consume to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
Part of the submission of stakeholders at the meeting were mass annual vaccination of animals, and waging war against those operating illegal abattoir in the state.
The stakeholders also submitted community sensitisation, and introduction of certified meat seller shops at strategic points, among others, as the other necessities.
