The Enugu State government has issued a strong warning to traders against selling animals that have died from unknown causes, particularly poultry, in local markets for human consumption.
This warning was given by Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, during an unscheduled inspection of Gariki poultry market in Enugu on Monday.
The government’s warning comes after an investigation was conducted by the veterinary department and local government disease surveillance officers, who had received reports of such practices in markets across the state.
The goal is to protect consumers from potentially harmful and unsafe animal products, the commissioner said.
He said: “The Enugu State Government is issuing a stern warning against the sale of animals that have died of unknown causes, particularly poultry, in local markets for food.
“The government reiterates that the sale of animals for food that died of unknown causes outside the normal methods of preparation is a serious crime and will not be tolerated.
“It emphasized the grave health risks associated with consuming such meat, as it can lead to zoonotic diseases, which are easily transmitted from animals to humans.
“This act can lead to epidemics of varying magnitude with severe public health consequences and economic losses to individuals, families, and the state in general,” Ubru said.
The government urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of sick dead animals being sold in markets or other locations to the veterinary desk officers in the local government areas or the nearest veterinary clinics.
Members of the public were also directed to report suspected cases to the Director of Veterinary Service, 08037178703; State Veterinary Epidemiologist: 08066865511; Director Public Health and Disease Control, 08037431577; and State Epidemiologist, 08033375344
