Ekiti government advises halting ponmo consumption amid anthrax outbreak.

The government explained that anthrax is primarily an animal disease that can easily be transmitted to humans through inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated or infected animal products such as hides and skins, meat, and milk in a statement by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, and Special Adviser, Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade.

However, the ministry urged locals to follow preventive actions like immunization, correct disposal of doubtful and infected animals, avoiding dangerous diets, hygienic habits, efficient disinfection, veterinary help, decontamination, etc.

The government also issued a warning to farmers, butchers, and other agricultural sector stakeholders, advising them to rigorously abide by the preventive measures to stop the disease’s spread.

According to the statement, although anthrax is largely an animal illness, it may easily spread to humans through inhalation of anthrax spores or eating of tainted or diseased animal products, such as hides and skins, meat, and milk, because of the close contact between humans and animals.

“Until the problem is under control, the general public is strongly urged to avoid eating bush meat, smoked meat, and hides (ponmo), as they offer a major risk. Public health and safety must be given top priority at this time.

In areas where byproducts like skins (Ponmo), bone meal, and blood meal are produced, severe environmental and personal hygiene regulations must be followed. To reduce the danger of infection, these spaces need to be kept clean and sanitized.

We particularly urge those who are vulnerable, such as those who handle animals, eat dead animals, work in healthcare, are in law enforcement, or have recently traveled to an area where anthrax cases have been verified, to take their hygiene seriously.

“To protect public health and stop the spread of anthrax, we implore the general public, farmers, butchers, and agricultural sector stakeholders to strictly abide by these preventive measures.”