Nigerians advised against consumption of “Ponmo,” smoked meat, over deadly virus outbreak

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has advised Nigerians to stop consuming hides, known in local parlance as ponmo as well as smoked meat and bush meat to avoid the outbreak of Anthrax which has been reported in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, said that the outbreak was first recorded in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo thereby putting the whole sub-region at risk.

“The disease, which has claimed some lives, is a bacterial disease that affects both animals and man, that is a zoonotic disease.

“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 and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person.

“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.”

The statement warned the general public against closeness to non-vaccinated animals with Anthrax as it can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of Anthrax spores, including consumption of contaminated/Infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk.