As the outbreak of anthrax in Nigeria and Ghana keeps on, governments have been urged by scientists to make provision of funds for vaccination which will be used to counter a re-emergence of the disease in West Africa. Anthrax is known as a transmissible disease — from animals to humans — and is also known as a zoonotic disease. This disease is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Confirmed cases of this disease were discovered in Upper East region of northern Ghana in June this year, with an account of one person’s death and the death of dozens of animals.
Likewise, the disease was confirmed in July, in the north-central state of Niger, Nigeria. Philanthropists, well-meaning Nigerians, state and federal governments are implored to give donations for the availability of the vaccines. The head of veterinary epidemiology in Ghana, Fenteng Danso, announced that the discontinuation of vaccination was caused due to lack of fund support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for five years in the northern regions, although, there was no case of anthrax over the past five years in the region until this year.
Continuation of vaccination for all animals is the only prevention.
Animals and livestock can get infected with the disease through the ingestion of spores that in contaminated water, plants or soil while humans get infected through contact with animal products or animals that have the spores. The effects of this disease on humans are dangerous, causing chronic illness resulting in skin sores or blisters; and on animals, there is high rate of mortality. Nevertheless, the primary prevention to this disease is the vaccination and treatment of livestock, but the functionality of this care is not active in countries that are experiencing the outbreak.
Danso stated his concerns on the re-emergence of this disease in some parts of the northern region in Ghana, where people experience little grass for ruminants, coupled with the long dry season. Danso added that, consequently, animals had to feed to soil level which exposes them to breath in bacterial spores that are living in the soil. He emphasized that the only prevention to this disease is the continuation of vaccination for all animals due to the endemic state of the disease.
NVRI to provide vaccination for 10 million animals.
According to the government of Ghana, the distribution of 100,000 vaccine doses, over 23,000 animals have been treated with the vaccine, most especially in the affected regions, and another 100,000 vaccines are in production. While in Nigeria, enough production of vaccines has been confirmed by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to prevent the national herd from getting infected. Also, the chief executive of the institute, Maryam Muhammad, affirmed that the organization’s mission is to provide vaccination for 10 million animals, providing “herd immunity” to cover all national herd in the country.
A veterinarian and member of the Anthrax Technical Working Group in Nigeria, Oladotun Fadipe, mentioned that the fund to purchase the vaccine might not be prioritized due to other healthcare issues such as meningitis, diphtheria and lassa fever. Therefore, philanthropists, state and federal governments are urged to make donations for the vaccine because the vaccines are not for free, but only available on sale. In addition, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which are under the One Health Quadripartite, affirmed that anthrax make up continuous economic, public health and social burden.
More funds to counter the spread of zoonotic diseases should be provided.
One Health Quadripartite stated that most times, resources and attention that are required to prevent this disease are not available. Since the outbreak, 50,000 vaccine doses were bought by the Nigerian government for Lagos and Niger States, due to the high rate of infected animals reported. The Director of the Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses at the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria, Simeon Cadmus, said that more funds to counter the spread of zoonotic and anthrax diseases in Nigeria should be provided if the government prioritizes the healthcare of animals and humans.
Related Link
Africa CDC: Website
Anthrax disease outbreak in West Africa. – Discontinuation of vaccination due to lack of fund support caused it. – Express your point of view.
I share your concern about the anthrax disease outbreak in West Africa and the unfortunate discontinuation of vaccination due to lack of fund support. This situation highlights the critical importance of adequate funding for public health initiatives.
Vaccination programs play a vital role in preventing the spread of diseases and safeguarding the health of communities. They are an essential tool in controlling and eradicating infectious diseases, including anthrax. Discontinuing these programs due to lack of funding can have severe consequences, as we are witnessing with this outbreak.
Investing in public health is not only a matter of immediate concern but also a long-term investment in the well-being and prosperity of a nation. By ensuring sufficient funding for vaccination programs, governments can protect their citizens from preventable diseases and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
Lack of fund support not only affects the availability of vaccines but also hampers the infrastructure needed to administer them effectively. This includes training healthcare workers, maintaining cold chains for vaccine storage, and implementing robust surveillance systems to detect and respond to outbreaks promptly.
To address this issue, it is crucial for governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to come together and prioritize the allocation of resources to support vaccination programs. This can be achieved through increased funding, partnerships with philanthropic organizations, and advocacy for global health initiatives.
In conclusion, the anthrax disease outbreak in West Africa and the discontinuation of vaccination due to lack of fund support highlight the urgent need for adequate funding for public health initiatives. Vaccination programs are crucial in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting communities. By prioritizing and investing in these programs, governments can ensure the well-being of their citizens and contribute to a healthier future for all..
Vaccination programs play a key role in stopping the spread of diseases and enhancing the general health of communities. Discontinuing these programs due to lack of funding can have severe consequences, so as not to witness outbreak of diseases, to further address this issues, it is important for governments and international organizations, to come together and allocate scarce resources to support vaccination programs. Which can be achieved through increased funding and partnerships with philanthropic organizations.
A disease outbreak in the area resulted from the suspension of the anthrax immunization program in West Africa due to a lack of financial assistance. Governments and stakeholders may safeguard animal and human health, maintain economic stability, and ultimately save lives by funding vaccination initiatives.
Anthrax illness outbreak in West Africa and the unfortunate choice to halt immunization due to financial restrictions. This situation highlights the need to allocate enough money for medical services.