Food and Agriculture
You Can Be Infected With This Disease From Ponmo, Bush Meat, Smoked Meat If…
The Ekiti State Government has warned that you can be infected with Anthrax if you indulge in risky consumption of ponmo (hides), bush meat and smoked meat.
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This warning came in a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade and Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, on Wednesday 19th July, 2023 in Ado-Ekiti in an alert to residents and farmers to the outbreak of Anthrax.
Anthrax is an infectious disease that is capable of affecting both humans and animals, with serious damages to the respiratory system as the consrquence.
Authorities also describe Anthrax as a serious disease that affects both animals and humans (Zoonotic), which presents flu-like symptoms, such as cough, painless sores with a black centre appearing after the blister.
It said other symptoms include fever and muscle aches, which if not diagnosed and treated promptly, could lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, respiratory problems, shock and even death.
For prevention, the government urged intensified vaccination, proper disposal of suspected and infected animals and avoiding risky consumptions such as hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat.
It also urged adherence to hygiene practices, especially in places where ponmo, bone meals and blood meals are produced.
“We specifically encourage persons at risk such as people who handle animals, people who consume dead animals, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers and anyone who recently travelled to a location with a confirmed anthrax case to take their hygiene practices seriously,” the government said.
The government further urged the general public, farmers, butchers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to adhere strictly to the preventive measures.
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