FG raises alarm over outbreak of deadly disease, warns against ponmo, bushmeat consumption

By Cynthia Ezekwe

The federal government  has alerted the general public on the outbreak of anthrax, a bacterial disease detected in some neighbouring countries.

A statement issued by the  Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), and signed by Ernest Umakhihe, the permanent secretary of the ministry, noted that the disease has been  confirmed within the West African sub-region, and  has claimed lives in some neighbouring countries, specifically  Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

The statement advised Nigerians against the consumption of hides popularly known as ‘pomo,’ emphasising that the consumption of hides poses a serious risk until the situation is brought under control.

“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 or consumption of contaminated or infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk,” the statement  noted.

According to the statement, the anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animal, adding that the signs  of the disease are

flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, and muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, can  lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.

The permanent secretary  also noted that infected animals cannot be vaccinated but animals at risk can be vaccinated, adding that infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil along with equipment used in the burial after applying Chemicals that will kill the Anthrax spores.

“So in this present case, there is a need to intensify animal vaccinations along the border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana. Other states of Nigeria are equally advised to join in the exercise,” he added.