The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the consumption of hides (ponmo), smoked meat, and bush meat. This caution comes in light of the outbreak of Anthrax in neighboring countries. Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, emphasized the importance of alerting the public to the disease, which is currently affecting Northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. While it commonly affects domestic and wild animals, it is not contagious among people. Symptoms of Anthrax include flu-like signs such as cough, fever, and muscle aches. If not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty breathing, shock, and even death.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development strongly advises the general public to refrain from consuming hides, smoked meat, and bush meat due to the serious risks involved until the situation is brought under control. The government has reestablished a Standing Committee on the Control of Anthrax to address the outbreak, and relevant institutions and collaborators have been engaged in efforts to control the disease. State directors of veterinary services nationwide have also been sensitized to the issue.

Dr. Umakhihe further explained that Anthrax is primarily a disease of animals. However, due to the close proximity between humans and animals, non-vaccinated animals that contract the disease can easily transmit it to humans through the inhalation of Anthrax spores or the consumption of contaminated animal products such as hides, skin, meat, or milk. The Permanent Secretary called on border states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos to intensify animal vaccinations, considering their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana. Infected dead animals should be properly buried along with the equipment used, after applying chemicals to kill the Anthrax spores.

Annual vaccinations with Anthrax spore vaccines are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State. This vaccination is the most cost-effective and easiest method for preventing and controlling the disease in animals.