On Wednesday, Oyo State issued a caution against buying meat from illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs to avoid contracting Anthrax, as a case of the disease has been confirmed in Lagos State.
Dr Semiu Akibu, the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer of Oyo State, made this statement at the launch of the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases, emphasizing the importance of only purchasing meat from legally authorized abattoirs and slaughter slabs to avoid anthrax-contaminated meat.
Dr Akibu warned that boiling anthrax-contaminated meat at typical cooking temperatures and durations might not kill anthrax spores, so Nigerians should avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat, as well as meat from sick and dead animals (cattle, goats, and sheep), including byproducts like ponmo and milk, to prevent contracting anthrax.
He explained that anthrax spores are resilient and can survive in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals and the environment for decades, making the disease challenging to control or eradicate. Hence, individuals travelling to areas with confirmed anthrax cases within and outside Nigeria are at risk.
“Now, Lagos has a confirmed case of anthrax and unfortunately, a large number of animals move to Lagos daily, so we all need to exercise caution when buying animals. If possible during this period, avoid meat from unknown sources or slaughtered in unknown locations; they are suspects.
Also, sick animals are suspects for anthrax and should not be slaughtered, as they can be carriers of the disease.”
Akibu, who also serves as the state’s field epidemiology officer for the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, mentioned that animals dead from anthrax show bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting, and some may also appear bloated.
He further warned that anthrax can affect humans, causing skin infections, gastrointestinal problems, and breathing difficulties, with symptoms like fever, painless skin sores, severe digestive illness, and difficulty breathing.
Dr Abiodun Abatan, Redisse Attaché at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Development, also cautioned against consuming wild animals like deer, antelopes, and buffalo, as well as food from joints and kiosks, especially during this time, to avoid being served meat from sick animals.
Earlier, Dr Olubunmi Ayinde, Director of Public Health at the Oyo Health Ministry, explained that the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases was inaugurated in Oyo State to address the prevention of emerging and reemerging diseases such as rabies, diphtheria, cholera, and anthrax in the state.
She mentioned that one of the goals of the Technical Working Group on reemerging diseases is to increase awareness of these diseases, especially at the grassroots level.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Full text: See Obi’s written address to Tinubu
Labour Party legal team, led by Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), on Thursday, filed their final written address in response to…
46-year-old Nigerian ‘mysteriously’ dies in Scotland
Security and health experts in Glasgow, Scotland are battling to unravel the mystery surrounding the sudden death of…
Nigerian billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu invited Wizkid as he organises a ‘sip and paint’ to celebrate his…
Subsidy: 10 ways to reduce fuel consumption
Amidst the early days of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Nigeria, the nation has been grappling with a staggering increase in…
Messi scores on debut as Inter Miami wins league cup match
Argentine Superstar Lionel Messi scored on his debut for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as they secured a victory over…
RECENTLY, Nigeria has been facing an unprecedented scourge of diphtheria, and so soon after the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been found in…
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have strengthened their strategic cooperation to combat illicit financial activities…
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible migration management, describing the finalisation of…
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Tuesday in Abuja decorated newly promoted…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the economic reforms introduced…
“We will lower the cost of living. We will provide reliable power, not the whole…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared solidarity with striking workers in Osun State over…
This website uses cookies.