PREVALENCE OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS IN MEAT FROM LOKOJA ABATTOIRS, KOGI STATE

Abstract This study is on prevalence of anthrax disease suspected in animal in Lokoja abattoirs, kogi state. The aim and objective of this study is to investigate the causes of anthrax affecting cattle butcher by abattoirs. Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. The disease can affect both humans and animals although it is more common among livestock and wild animals with high economic significance. The disease occurs in herbivorous animals either through inhalation or by direct consumption of the spores during grazing in the wild. A total of twenty five (25) blood samples from cattle, Lokoja abattoir, aged between 1 -3 years were screened for anthrax. Blood samples were collected from the cattle which has already killed from abattoir in Lokoja. The sample size was determined using a prevalence of 16.7%. The samples were tested following a previously validated protocol for the Gram staining method. Both thick and thin smears were prepared on labeled clean glass slides and allowed to dry by air and on a heating block for 2 min. With the addition of crystal violet stain for 1 min, then flooded with mordant iodine for 1 min. Samples were also assessed by the M’Faydean staining method. Out of 25 sample 19 is positive of bacillus species where felele and old market has the highest range which is 5 positive sample follow by zango with 4 positive sample and Adankolo has 3 positive sample. However, a total of 250 sample collected is representative as 25 sample.