Physicians have warned Nigerians to avoid bush meat and contact with wild animals as Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo and Uganda raise fresh public health concerns across Africa.
Medical experts have warned Nigerians against consuming bush meat following renewed Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The physicians said Ebola could spread from infected wild animals such as bats, monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas through hunting, handling, or eating contaminated bush meat.
Professor of Public Health at the University of Ilorin, Tanimola Akande, said, “Ebola is a zoonotic infection. It is well known that transmission can be through the consumption of bush meat.”
The World Health Organisation recently declared the outbreaks in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
According to WHO, the outbreak has recorded eight confirmed cases, 246 suspected infections, and 80 suspected deaths in eastern Congo.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said Nigeria had intensified surveillance and preparedness measures nationwide, urging citizens to maintain hygiene and report suspected symptoms promptly.
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