Monday, September 19, 2016
Ogun State Ban Hunting Of Bush Meat to Prevent Ebola Spread
Ogun State Ban Hunting Of Bush Meat to Prevent Ebola Spread
OGUN State government has placed a ban on the hunting of wildlife and game known as bushmeat in a bid to curtail the further spread of the ebola virus that is currently sweeping across West Africa.
In recent months, almost 2,000 people have been infected with the deadly ebola virus disease (EVD), with Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia being the worst affected countries. Almost 800 people have died from the virus that came into Nigeria when an American-born Liberian Patrick Sawyer attended an Ecowas conference in Calabar and subsequently died in Lagos.
With the number of Nigerian cases growing by the day, the authorities have been forced to act and earlier this week, the Lagos State government banned all large religious gatherings. Ogun State has now decided to act too, urging all hunters to suspend their activities forthwith.
Ronke Sokefun, the Ogun State commissioner for agriculture, stated that hunting wildlife and animals do facilitate the outbreak of the disease as they pose some risks. However, she assured citizens of the state that the risk of contracting the virus from slaughtered animal at public abattoirs is non-existent as all the necessary precautions have been taken to prevent this.
Ms Sokefun noted that transmission is relatively easy through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, sweat and vomit of infected animals, particularly through monkeys or fruit bats. However, she advised that domestic pets be screened, especially at night, particularly in environments that are known to have significant bat population or areas that serve as migratory routes for bats.
In addition, she also advised members of the public to stop the consumption of salvaged or dead animals, while meats should be properly cooked. To inform and receive feedback from the public, the Ogun State government has opened four dedicated toll free lines - 08033371451, 08033794450, 08033892861, and 08025195494.
In addition, it has stepped up security in border areas. Furthermore, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has authorised further training of health workers and the purchase of protective equipment.
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