Ebola Outbreak Linked To Consumption Of Bush Meat - Scientists
Scientists have linked the recent outbreak of Ebola — a
disease that causes its victims to bleed to death – to the
indiscriminate consumption of raw bush meat and other exotic animals.
Bush meat is a known a delicacy in many parts of Nigeria. Indeed,
many Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry its delicious aroma and taste in
native soups, such as Egusi, Efo and Ofe Isla.
However, scientists say consumption and preparation of
meat from forest animals, such as fruit bats, monkeys and chimpanzees is
behind the transmission of Ebola, which has killed over 660 persons in the last six months in West Africa.
Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, countries where the Ebola Virus is
spreading like wildfire, are also prefer such delicacy as meats from
grass cutters, antelopes, gorillas and chimpanzees.
According to veterinary expert, Dr. Femi Oboye, game meats – usually
free-range animals, which mean they have less saturated fat, which makes
them healthier than other fatty meats – could host Ebola, anthrax and
yellow fever and some other deadly fevers.
Oboye states that those residing in countries with poor meat inspection policy are at a greater risk of contracting the virus.
"Forest animals like monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees can also
get the disease and pass it to humans. Apes are hosts to diseases, such
as Ebola, anthrax and yellow fever. One can be infected if one is
exposed to the secretions of an infected animal or eats an infected
animal.
"We must careful because game meats are hardly inspected before
they are sold in the market in many African countries. No procedures are
carried out by a professional to determine and guarantee either the
flesh or organs are free of diseases and other contaminants," he adds.
Oboye notes that unlike food poisoning where its symptoms manifest a few hours after eating the food, it takes, at least, two to three weeks for the symptoms of Ebola to show in infected persons.
The symptoms of Ebola: fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pain.
Roasted fruit bats are another delicacy in some states in the
Southwestern parts of Nigeria. Experts warn that these animals may be
infected and roasting them may not kill the virus in the already
infected animals.
The contracting of Ebola, the World Health Organisation also states
can be by eating fruit bats or eating fruits that have been infected by
bats.
Nutritionist, Dr. Yomi Agaja, says this warning is not to say that Nigerians should stay off fruits, but they must be cleaned,
properly washed or disinfected in some cases to make sure that some
bacteria or viruses that may be in such fruits are denatured.
The early symptoms of Ebola mimic that of malaria and fever. They may
not be identified right away – particularly in the early stages of the
disease.
Family, friends and health care workers can easily contract the virus
while caring for an infected individual, a reason why the disease
spreads like fire.
As there is no cure for the disease, prevention is, therefore, the
watchword. Experts urge individuals to adhere to stringent personal and
environment hygiene to minimise the risk for the infecting the virus.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment