Stop Eating ‘Ponmo’, For now, It’s Dangerous ” – FG Raises Alarm Over Outbreak Of Anthrax Disease on Ponmo

Due of the anthrax outbreak in other nearby countries, Nigerians have been advised to cease eating bush meat, smoked meat, and hides (ponmo), praizemedia report.

The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday in a statement that was signed by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

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Umakhihe argued that Nigerians needed to be made aware of the disease pandemic presently wreaking havoc in Northern Ghana, which borders Burkina Faso and Togo.

According to him, Anthrax is transferred from infected animals to humans, as its spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.

Although people can get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, it is not a contagious disease.

“Being a bacterial disease, it responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.

“The general public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (pomo), smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risks until the situation is brought under control.

“Meanwhile, the public is urged to remain calm and vigilant as the Federal Government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the Control of Anthrax in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Furthermore, relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak. This is in addition to the sensitization of State directors of veterinary services nationwide.”

Umakhihe further stated that Anthrax is primarily a disease of animals but because of man’s closeness to animals, non-vaccinated animals that contract it can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of Anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated/infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk.

The Permanent Secretary also called on border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos to intensify vaccination of animals, because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana.

“However, infected animals cannot be vaccinated but animals at risk can be vaccinated. So in this present case, there is a need to intensify animal vaccinations along border states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana. Other states of Nigeria are equally advised to join in the exercise.

“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,” he said.

He, however, disclosed that the annual vaccinations with anthrax spore vaccines are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, and are the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals.