Anthrax disease: Stop eating ‘ponmo’, bush meat, FG warns Nigerians

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Monday warned Nigerians against eating hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat.

The ministry said there is an outbreak of Anthrax  disease in some neighbouring countries including Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo.

A statement signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said Anthrax is transferred from infected animals to humans, as its spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.

The statement said Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products is not a contagious disease.

The symptoms of the disease include flu, cough, fever, and muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, can lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and death.