Nigerians Urged To Stop Consuming Pomo As Anthrax Spread In Neighbouring Country

Post created on 3:33 pm

Nigerians have been urged by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to stop consuming hides popularly known as pomo, bush meat and smoked meat over the outbreak of Anthrax.

This alert was made on Monday in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary Dr Ernest Umakhihe.

As a result of the spread in neighbouring countries, Umakhihe said it was important to alert Nigerians about the disease that is transferred from infected animals to humans.

He said the disease Anthrax is a current outbreak in Northern Ghana the border between Burkina Faso and Togo.

Anthrax spores reside in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.

A person can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products but it is not a contagious disease.

He further gave signs to look out for when a person is infected with Anthrax, they are, flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, and muscle aches and when not diagnosed and treated early it leads to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.

However since it is a bacterial disease, it responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.

With the statement of notice, the general public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of pomo, bush meat and smoked meat as they are at high risk of Anthrax until measures are taken to control the situation.