Due of the anthrax outbreak in other nearby countries, Nigerians have been advised to cease eating bush meat, smoked meat, and hides (ponmo).
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday in a statement that was signed by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the ministry’s permanent secretary.
Umakhihe argued that Nigerians needed to be made aware of the disease pandemic presently wreaking havoc in Northern Ghana, which borders Burkina Faso and Togo.
According to him, Anthrax is transferred from infected animals to humans, as its spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.
Although people can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, it is not a contagious disease.
Its signs include 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, “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby alerts the general public on the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring Countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana Bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
“The disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, that is a zoonotic disease. Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild Animals.
“People can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. However, Anthrax is not a contagious disease and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.
“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.
“Infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil along with equipment used in the burial after applying chemicals that will kill the Anthrax spores,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that the annual vaccinations with anthrax spore vaccines are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, and are the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals.
