Anthrax Disease: Stop Consuming Ponmo, Bush Meet Until Further Notice – FG

By Cami Ezenwa

Anthrax disease is in town and the federal government is warning Nigerians against consuming ponmo, local name for hides, bush meat and smoked meat until further notice.

Doing so, it says, poses serious risk to health given the outbreak of Anthrax disease in neigbouring countries with close human and vehicular proximity with Nigeria.

This alert comes via a statement in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe.

“The public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of Hides (pomo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risk until the situation is brought under control,” he said, listing countries already affected.

These include Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, adding there was need to intensify animal vaccinations along border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, because of their proximity to the aforementioned countries.

“Signs of anthrax  are, flu- like symptoms,  such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, lead to Pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death,” he said, adding ” However, anthrax is not a contagious disease and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an Infected person.

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Bushmeat consumption may be a health risk henceforth

“It is primarily a disease of animals but because of man’s closeness to animals non vaccinated animals with anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of anthrax spores.

“Or consumption of contaminated/infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk,” he said.

He said annual vaccinations with anthrax spores are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State, adding that it is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals.

“However, infected animals cannot be vaccinated, but animals at risk can be vaccinated.

“So in this present case, there is the need to intensify animal vaccinations along border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana,” he said.

According to him, infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil along with equipment used in the burial after applying chemicals that would kill the anthrax spores.

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Urging the public to remain calm but vigilant, , Umakhihe he informed that the Federal Government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the Control of Anthrax disease in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“This is in addition to the sensitisation of State Directors of Veterinary Services nationwide,” Umakhihe said.

With this reassurances however, should Nigerians rest assured that the country would not be overrun by Anthrax disease?

This is where the reaction of readers, concerned Nigerians are urgently needed. Do so in the box below. Thank you.