Anthrax: Slow Down on Meat and Hide (Ponmo) Consumption- Expert Warns Nigerians
Dr. Obi Patrick, Director, of veterinary services, at Cross River’s Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has warned meat lovers in Nigeria to ‘slow down’ on meat consumption as anthrax knows no boundaries as it spreads.
Anthrax, a deadly bacterial, zoonotic disease which is caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis; occurs primarily in cattle, sheep, and goats and could affect other animals including humans was first noticed in Lagos on July 30, in six livestock, after it was first discovered in Niger on July 17, following its observation in some West African nations.
While chatting with journalists on Monday in Calabar, Dr. Patrick told Nigerians and State governments to prepare for any eventualities and not assume the disease is only limited to the north.
He said, “The disease which can affect man when he consumes affected meat or comes in contact with animals or materials that are contaminated can also affect a man when he inhales the spores of the pathogen.
“As a state, we need to create awareness, let members of the public know that there is a disease outbreak that has been reported and be on the alert.
“For those who like to consume bush meat and hide (Pomo), you have to slow down now or only eat hide from approved abattoirs where you are sure that the meats are inspected by officials of the state government,”.
Speaking further, Obi noted that before the outbreak of Anthrax, the department of veterinary services in the state Ministry of Agriculture had control posts where all the animals coming into the state were stopped and checked.
He, however, urged livestock owners to be prompt in reporting cases of sick animals to Veterinary doctors.
“For those already in the state, livestock owners are advised to report any case of a sick animal in their farms or at home to a Veterinary doctor or the department of veterinary services, nothing should be taken for granted.
“Obvious clinical signs of anthrax include dullness, going off feed, in a very short time, the animal becomes very sick and bleeds from its body openings without the blood clotting.
“Also, when the animal dies, its carcass does not become stiff; these are clear suspicions but the final diagnosis is a laboratory examination which is done in the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau,” Dr Obi added.
Picture Credit: Only My Health
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