A Multi-Sectoral Committee has been established by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to help the state get ready for any public health emergencies as well as any potential anthrax outbreaks.
This was contained in a statement signed by Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government.
The committee has Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Health as the Acting Head, Okolo Boniface- Director, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Chinyere Ezeudu, State Epidemiologist, Dr. Chika Okoro, WHO, Enugu State Coordinator, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, UNICEF, Enugu State, Chinasa Mbah.
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Pharm. Isaac Obetta, Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Chinelo Nnadi, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Others are Dr. Onyinye Chime, Consultant Public Health Physician, ESUT, Parkane, Mr. Sunny Okafor, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Matthew Abia, Ministry of Environment and Chidiogo Ave Maria, PRO, Ministry of Health.
Recall that Nigeria reported its first anthrax outbreak on Monday, July 17 a few weeks after the federal government warned Nigerians against the consumption of hides (ponmo) as well as smoked and bush meat.
Anthrax can be deadly, and on a large scale – in 1770, an epidemic that killed 15,000 people in what is now Haiti is thought to have been intestinal anthrax caused by uncooked beef.