Anthrax: Avoid risky consumption of ”ponmo”, bush meat – Ekiti Govt
The Ekiti Government has warned against the risky consumption of hides (ponmo), smoked meat, and bush meat.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, andCommissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti in an alert to residents and farmers to the outbreak of Anthrax.
Supreme News reports that Anthrax is an infectious disease that is capable of affecting both humans and animals, causing serious damage to the respiratory system.
The government also describes Anthrax as a serious disease that affects both animals and humans (Zoonotic), which presents flu-like symptoms such as coughing and 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, couldlead 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 practises, especially in places where ponmo, bone meals, and blood meals are produced.
“We specifically encourage people 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 practises seriously,” the government said.
The government further urged the general public, farmers, butchers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to adhere strictly to the preventive measures.
The government also urged the public to avoid panic about the disease, adding that the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, was monitoring the situation.
The government saidthat it would provide updates and further guidance concerning the disease and urged residents to assist health agencies by transmitting the message.
