Health
JUST IN: FG confirms first anthrax case in Niger
The Federal Government, on Monday, confirmed the first case of anthrax in Nigeria, stating that the disease was detected in a farm in Niger State.
The Federal Government had earlier alerted the general public to the outbreak of anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region and advised Nigerians to desist from the consumption of hides, otherwise known as ponmo, at the moment.
The FG had specifically stated that the disease was widespread in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, as it also promised to keep the Nigerians updated on developments about the disease.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that it was “deeply concerned to announce the confirmation of an anthrax case in Niger State, Nigeria.”
It added, “On July 14, 2023, the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was notified of animals manifesting symptoms of a suspected case of anthrax in a farm in Suleja, Niger State.
“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes, and ears.”
The FMARD stated that a rapid response team comprising of federal and states’ One Health Professional Team visited the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collected samples from the sick animals.
“Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years and after the report of an outbreak of anthrax in Northern Ghana a few weeks ago. All animals affected have died,” the ministry stated.
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium – Bacillus anthracis, which primarily affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
It can also infect humans who come into direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, such as meat, wool or hides.
Inhalation of anthrax may occur through the inhalation of spores, while cutaneous anthrax can result from contact with contaminated materials or through open wounds.
The statement, however, stated that the Federal Government, through the FMARD, in collaboration with the Niger State Government, had taken proactive measures to ensure the outbreak was controlled and contained quickly in Nigeria.
“This includes quarantine of the affected farm, deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms to vaccinate in-contact animals, and educating the farm workers of the affected farms on symptoms, preventive measures, and what to do when they encounter suspected cases.
“Plans are also underway to conduct nationwide vaccination of cattle, sheep, and goats against anthrax. Surveillance of anthrax will be heightened in livestock farms, markets and abattoirs. Public awareness campaigns on anthrax will be intensified,” the FMARD stated.
The ministry encouraged all livestock owners to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious illness or deaths in their animals, to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products.
It urged livestock owners to exercise caution when buying animals such as cows, camels, sheep, goats, and other livestock from Nigerian states bordering Benin, Chad and Niger, as well as from Ghana and Togo via waterways.
Health
NCDC : Rainy Season To Increase Cholera Outbreaks in Ten States
They are Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says that raining and flooding will increase cholera outbreak in ten prone states.
They are Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.
NCDC, in a statement, yesterday, said the alarm followed flood predictions issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency indicating that the aforementioned states would experience heavy rainfall and flooding between 13th and 17th April 2026.
NCDC noted that, already, cases of cholera are on the rise across the cholera-prone states, and that could simply be attributed to the rainy season, and flood that might have contaminated people’s sources of food and water.
It said: “Recent national surveillance data show increasing cholera activity across multiple states.
Flooding during this period can rapidly increase the risk of disease outbreaks due to contamination of drinking water sources, disruption of sanitation systems, and increased exposure of communities to unsafe environmental conditions.
Importantly, these risks are preventable with early action.”
Health
FG effects 20% tarrif slash on pharmaceutical products
Reacting to the development, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba-Tanko Ibrahim, described the tariff cut as a positive step but cautioned that the gains would depend on complementary policy actions.
the Federal Government had in a document dated April 1, 2026, by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, approved sweeping tariff adjustments across 127 product lines, including antimalarial medicaments now pegged at 20 percent, as part of efforts to stimulate growth and ease the cost of critical imports.
Reacting to the development, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba-Tanko Ibrahim, described the tariff cut as a positive step but cautioned that the gains would depend on complementary policy actions.
“A drop in duties on drugs and pharmaceutical products is quite laudable. In normal circumstances, this should signpost a drop in prices of these products and promote accessibility to drugs and healthcare, albeit legitimately.
“The PSN appreciates and commends the commitment of the federal government in the ensuing scenario,” he said.
Emphasising that more is needed to be done to sanitise the sector, Ibrahim said: “It is noteworthy that the federal government must do a little more in terms of regulation and control of drug matters in Nigeria.
‘’Government must see a need for urgent intervention with a template akin to an all-purpose special vehicle that can help fix fundamental issues pertaining to local manufacture and drug prices.
” There is also a need to support local content in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, APIs, and vaccines availability to increase the contribution of the pharmaceutical sector to national GDP, ’’ he said.
Health
Resident Doctors Suspend Strike, Ask Members to Resume on Wednesday
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite nationwide strike and directed all members to resume duties on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The decision was announced on Tuesday following successful last-minute engagements with the Federal Government and other stakeholders over the contentious suspension of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and other welfare issues.
NARD had earlier declared a total and comprehensive strike effective from 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, protesting the government’s move to halt implementation of the revised allowance structure, unpaid promotion arrears, and other outstanding agreements.
In a statement, the association said the suspension was reached after productive discussions, though it issued a fresh ultimatum, warning of renewed industrial action if demands are not fully met by April 21, 2026.
Patients and healthcare facilities across the country, which had braced for disruption in services, are expected to see normal operations resume from Wednesday morning.
NARD urged its members to return to work promptly while maintaining that the core issues remain unresolved and will be reviewed at the next National Executive Council meeting.
The development brings temporary relief to the public health system amid ongoing concerns over doctor shortages and welfare in Nigerian teaching and specialist hospitals.
-
Crime2 days agoNigeria Customs Seizes ₦98.3 Million Worth of Smuggled Goods in Adamawa/Taraba
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Upsets as ADC dares INEC, concludes convention
-
Business3 days agoNigeria Unveils 20-Year Aviation Master Plan at ICAO Global Symposium In Morocco
-
Crime3 days agoTroops Smashes Bandit Strongholds in Bauchi, Rescues Hostages
-
News1 day agoFG Graduates 774 Former Terrorists From Defence Hqt ‘s Training Camp
-
Politics2 days agoINEC Drives Youth Participation in Voter Registration Through Abuja Outreach
-
News3 days agoSecurity Beefed Up at JAMB Exam Centres – Police
-
News2 days agoFG Drops Terrorism Financing Charges Against Malami and Son
