Anthrax: FG Advises Nigerians Against Eating ‘Ponmo’, Bush Meat

By Kasim Isa Muhammad

Kanempress

12th June 2023

Nigerians have been advised to cease eating bush and smoked meat, as part of prevention against any contagious disease.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

Umakhihe noted that Nigerians need to be informed about an outbreak of a disease called ‘anthrax’ which wreaks havoc in Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

The anthrax, he added, spreads from sick animals to humans, saying its spores are naturally present in soil and frequently infect both domestic and wild animals.

Although Anthrax is not a contagious disease but people can contract the spores from affected or tainted animal products.

Its symptoms include flu-like signs of cough, fever, and muscular aches, and when not identified or treated promptly, it can cause pneumonia, serious lung issues, breathing difficulties, shock, and even death.