Nigeria has banned the sale and consumption of bush meat in order to curb the spread of monkeypox disease.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Mohammad Abubakar has directed hunters and dealers of bush meat in the country to stop the business.
Abubakar also urged Nigerians to avoid contact with persons suspected to be infected with monkeypox.
“Hunters and dealers of ‘bush meat’ must desist from the practice forthwith to prevent any possibility of a ‘spill over’ of the pathogen in Nigeria.”
Abubakar explained that the ministry was collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other stakeholders in the One Health Team to ensure the situation is contained and brought under control.
Meanwhile, NCDC had revealed earlier this week that Nigeria confirmed 21 cases of monkeypox since the beginning of 2022, with one death reported.
Bushmeat in Nigeria and most parts of Africa is a delicacy. It is any wild animal that is killed for consumption, including antelopes, chimpanzees, fruit bats, rats, porcupines and snakes.
