Monkeypox:FG initiate total ban on sales and consumption of bush meat national wide.

federal government banned the sale and consumption of wild meat in an effort to stem the spread of monkepox.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, on Tuesday, May 31, ordered hunters and sellers of wild meat in the country to suspend business.

Abubakar also urged Nigerians to avoid contact with people suspected of having monkeypox.

Veterinarians, veterinarians and veterinarians have also been asked to step up their surveillance to identify any possible Monkey disease in animals.

The statement read as follows;

“Following the recent confirmation of the re-emergence of Monkeypox (MP) in Nigeria on May 29, 2022, involving 21 people, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which is said to have led to the death of one person, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) , through the Department of Veterinary Services and Pest Control, is working with the NCDC and Specialists in the Special Health Team to ensure that the condition is unconscious and manageable.

“People should avoid contact with people who are suspected of having Monkeys in their homes and workplaces.

“Hunters and sellers of‘ wild meat ’should stop this practice in order to prevent any‘ spillage ’of the virus in Nigeria.

“The smuggling of wildlife and its products within and outside the border must be restricted

“Stables, shops and other agricultural storage facilities must take effective rodent control measures to prevent contact with Monkeypox virus through food.

“Employees of zoos, parks, nature reserves and recreation centers that keep non-human pets in their areas must ensure strict compliance with biosecurity rules to prevent human contact.

“Veterinarians, veterinary hospitals and animal health centers across the country must ensure that they are vigilant to pick up potential Monkey symptoms in non-human patients (NHP).

“We should also make sure to wash our hands regularly with a powerful disinfectant whenever we treat the NHP and rats.

“We must also not promote the use, trade and maintenance of the NHP as well as rats as pets in our homes.

“The public is advised to report any such boils as seen by humans or animals at nearby human or animal clinics.”

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