Fawaz Adebisi
The Federal Government has asked Nigerians not to consume hides, which is known as ‘Ponmo’, following the outbreak of a deadly virus, Anthrax.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that
Antrax has been discovered in some neighbouring countries which include ; Ghana ,Burkinafaso and Togo.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, disclosed in a statement released on Moday.
According to him, the affected neighbouring countries are Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, adding that the disease had claimed some of their lives.
He explained that the disease is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, adding that its spores are naturally found in the soil.
He added that the disease commonly affects domestic and wild animals, stressing that people could get infected if they come in contact with infected animals or a contaminated animal product.
He however said that one can’t contact the disease through touches or close contact with an infected person.
Speaking on the disease symptoms , he said, “signs of anthrax are, flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, and muscle aches.”
Umakhihe added that if not diagnosed and treated early, it will lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and death.
“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.
“It could also be through consumption of contaminated or infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk,” he said.
He also said annual vaccinations with anthrax spores are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State.
He further stressed that it is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals, adding that infected animals cannot be vaccinated, but animals at risk can be vaccinated.
He advised Nigerians to bury any dead animal into a deep soil together with the equipment used in burying it after applying chemicals that would kul the antrax spores.
“The public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (ponmo), smoked meat, and bush meat as they pose serious risk until the situation is brought under control,” he said.
He therefore asked Nigerians to be relaxed as the FG has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the control of Anthrax.
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