PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT: Stop buying, selling bushmeat, FG tells Nigerians

The Federal Government has advised Nigerians to desist from the sales and consumption of bushmeat because of the cases of monkey pox in the country.

This was contained in a statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Abubakar.

He said the advice became necessary after the report of 21 cases and one death recorded in the country.

“Hunters and dealers of ‘bushmeat’ must desist from the practice forthwith to prevent any possibility of ‘SPILLOVER’ of the pathogen in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“Transport of wild animals and their products within and across the borders should be suspended/restricted.

“All operators of Zoos, Parks, Conservation and Recreational centers keeping non-human primates in their domains must ensure strict compliance with their biosecurity protocols aimed at preventing their contacts with humans.

“All Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and other Veterinary Health Institutions across the country must ensure vigilance so as to be able to pick possible signs and symptoms of Monkey Pox in non-human primate (NHP) patients.

“We must also ensure regular handwashing using strong disinfectant anytime we handle NHP and rodents in our various locations.

“We must also discourage the act of consumption, trade and keeping of NHP as well as rodents as pets in our homes.”

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