The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Monday, urged Nigerians to stop consumption of hides (pomo), smoked meat and bush meat over outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring countries.
The alert was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe.
Umakhihe said it became very necessary to alert Nigerians on the disease that is transferred from infected animals to humans.
According to him the outbreak of Anthrax is currently ravaging Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.
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.
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.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby alerts the general public on the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring Countries within the West African Sub-Region; specifically, Northern Ghana Bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
-Source: vanguard.
