Mpox: Stop eating bush meat, epidemiologists tell Nigerians
Nigerians have been advised to stop consuming bush meat due to the outbreak of mpox in some neighbouring countries.
The experts cautioned that handling and consuming wildlife, including various bush meats, which are traditional staples in many regions, were linked to the spread of the infection.
Bushmeats, often sourced from wild animals such as primates, rodents, and bats, the specialists said, can harbour viruses and other pathogens that pose significant health risks.
PUNCH Healthwise earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had designed a health declaration form for international passengers to guide against the surging new strain of mpox in some African countries from spreading to the country.
The Africa Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.
The outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is a serious and growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has now expanded outside the country. A new viral strain, which first emerged in September 2023, has, for the first time, been detected outside DRC.
The World Health Organisation stressed that the emergence last year and rapid spread of a new virus strain in DRC, clade 1b, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring the DRC are especially concerning, and one of the main reasons for the declaration of the PHEIC.
So far, about 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries have been reported in 2024 alone.
In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 States and the FCT, from the beginning of the year 2024.
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e., disease of animals transmitted from animals to humans) that is endemic in several African countries including the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa.
The exact reservoir of the virus is still unknown, although rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play a part in transmission.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the experts raised concerns about zoonotic transmission, the spread of diseases from animals to humans.
They said evidence suggests that bushmeats are a primary source of the mpox virus and said that to prevent further spread, it is crucial for communities to avoid consuming these meats and to implement strict hygiene practices.
A Public Health Physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr. Azeezat Shopeyin-Dosunmu, urged the public to avoid contact with animals and bushmeats amid the mpox outbreak.
While bushmeats are a cherished local delicacy for many Nigerians, including those who avoid red meat for medical reasons, Shopeyin-Dosunmu stressed the importance of steering clear of these foods until the crisis is resolved.
She acknowledged the challenge this poses but emphasised that it is a necessary measure to prevent further spread of the virus.
“Though the disruption may be temporary, it’s crucial to take precautions,” she said.
Shopeyin-Dosunmu, who is currently undergoing her consultancy training on epidemiology, also advised hunters and those handling animals and bushmeats to implement strict hygiene practices to ensure they do not spread the virus to their homes and communities.
Her call to action highlights the urgency of following health advisories during the outbreak, aiming to protect both individuals and the broader public from the ongoing threat.
She highlighted that monkeys and rodents are known carriers of the infection and warned that handling these animals should be kept to a minimum.
The physician emphasised that those hunters who may have hunted these animals should seek assistance from veterinarians to ensure the animals are certified fit for consumption.
Her guidance underscores the need for vigilance and proper protocols to safeguard public health during the outbreak.
Also speaking, another Epidemiologist and Public Health Physician at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State, Prof. Aisha Abubakar, advised Nigeria to stop consumption of bushmeat, saying that bushmeats are a potential route for mpox infection.
Abubakar said, “This is not the time to eat bushmeat. I know that they are delicacies to several regions in Nigeria but like I said, this is not the time for it. Nigerians should avoid it for now.
“This is because large rodents like squirrels and monkeys have been implicated as part of the risk factor animals. Nigerians should avoid contact with animals.”
She advised that public health campaigns should focus on educating communities about the dangers of bushmeats and promoting preventive measures.
The goal, she said, is to curb the outbreak and protect public health through informed choices and vigilance.
