Following outbreak of Anthrax spores in neighbouring countries, the federal government has warned Nigerians against consuming hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risk to human health.
Permanent Secretary in Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, disclosed this in a statement Monday while alerting Nigerians on the outbreak of Anthrax in Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
The Nation reports that the zoonotic disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial that affects animals and humans.
“People can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. However, Anthrax is not a contagious disease, and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.
“Signs of Anthrax are flu- like symptoms, such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.
“Being a bacterial disease, it responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.
“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 inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated/infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk”, Umakhihe said.