The Oyo State Butchers Association has issued stern warning to members to avoid breaking the stipulated guidelines from buying, slaughtering or selling animals suspected to have died of the deadly anthrax disease.

The Chairman of the association, Lateef Olagoke, who issued the warning, during a sensitization programme for stakeholders as parts of government’s efforts to prevent the deadly animal disease in the state, said erring butchers will be severely dealt with.

The programme was organised for stakeholders in the Oke-Ogun axis of the state and attended by officials of state ministry of agriculture, cattle breeders under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), butchers, traders, veterinary doctors, health officers among others. It was held at MACBAN Secretariat, Kara Market, Iseyin.

Olagoke disclosed that the association came up with punitive measures to discourage members from falling for the temptation of buying such dead animals from the cattle dealers irrespective of the cost.

The state government also called on residents to join the effort at preventing the disease outbreak by reporting suspected cases of anthrax and other animal diseases in their domain.

In his remarks, the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, a Deputy Director in charge of Control Post and Cattle Market, Dr. Liadi Adeniran said the government has been sensitising stakeholders, especially cattle breeders and butchers on the anthrax disease.

Also speaking, the State Animal Epidemiologist, Dr. Semiu Akibu, explained that the outbreak of anthrax in the neigbouring West African Countries, Ghana, Sao Tome, reported in some states, including Niger, Plateau, Kogi and Lagos has called for urgent attention for a healthy living and continued economic performance of the state.

He said anthrax, being a bacterial disease and airborne, could pose threats to pig, sheep, goat, cow and other animal health, explaining that the disease could lead to weakness, fever, difficulty breathing, blood oozing, when inhaled or ingested.

On his part, the Oyo State Animal Disease Surveillance Agent, Irepo, Dr. Tunde Adetola assured cattle rearers of readiness of the state government to make available vaccines for the prevention of anthrax both for human and animals.