Thursday, May 23, 2024 -The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has alerted the general public on the outbreak of poison in trade animals which occurred at Mandate Cattle Market, located near College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies at Adewole, Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary,
Temitope Fashedemi, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, there were reported cases of
deaths in the herd, with affected animals displaying symptoms such as
hypersalivation, weakness, and recumbency.
A report from Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
indicated that mortality in herd occurred at this market on Saturday, 20th
April, 2024 and the outcome of the investigation revealed that animals had
grazed on the forage that was fumigated with organophosphate chemical prior to
the incident.
“The report further stated that clinical signs observed were
hypersalivation, weakness, and recumbency. On noticing this, the herders
decided to slaughter 7 of the very weakly affected animals for public
consumption. This has public health risks, and the consequences may be very
severe in the food chain,” the statement says.
"It is important to note however, that there is a Rapid Response
Team (RRT) in every state of the Federation, made up of Federal Epidemiology
Officer, State Director, Veterinary Services and State Epidemiology Officer,
who have been adequately trained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Security for emergency situations such as this.
"In this particular instance, the RRT in Kwara State in
collaboration with the State Government’s task force, swiftly swung into action
to trace and confiscate the meat from the slaughtered animal; these were
subsequently disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
“The report added that 40 suspected poisoned animals were treated with
organophosphate antidotes, and they responded with marked improvement in their
health, leading to recovery.”
Other actions taken included the following:
· Cleaning and disinfection of the abattoir that the carcasses were
dressed.
· Creation of public awareness on the danger of consuming the meat from
affected slaughter animals was issued.
· Collection of blood and tissue samples for laboratory testing and
analysis.
"To avert the future occurrence of this bad and hazardous
agricultural practice, the Ministry wishes to inform the General Public that:
i.There is danger in consuming
unwholesome meat and other food of animal origin, especially contaminated with
organophosphate.
ii. Meat for human consumption should be purchased at registered,
government/private approved spots such as abattoirs, slaughter slabs, meat
shops, etc. Such products must have been certified wholesome, fit for
consumption by a registered veterinarian.
iii. Meat from dead animals is unwholesome and should not be consumed.
iv. With a withdrawal period of 14 -21 days after injection, ingestion
and / or application of drugs or chemicals preparation on animals should be
strictly observed before products from such animals are certified for
consumption.
v. Dead animals should be properly disposed of with the aid of
veterinarians and environmental health officers.
vi. Report and diseased animals or suspected to be diseased to the
nearest veterinary clinics/hospital or animal health services providers.
vii. People who may have genuine reason to apply chemicals on open
farmlands or fields should please notify their host communities to avoid
grazing animals on such fields for at least one week.
“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security wishes to assure
the general public that it will, through its Department of Veterinary and Pest
Control Services continue to work with States Veterinary Service in synergy to
ensure that best veterinary and agricultural practices are observed especially
for disease, agricultural pests and hazard prevention and control, with the
professional motive of enhancing Animal Welfare and ensuring availability of
wholesome food of animal origin.”
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