Ebola: Ogun bans wildlife hunting

By Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

In a bid to ensure that the Ebola Virus Disease does not make its way to Ogun state, the state government today took a decisive decision to suspend all hunting in the State.

The state government urged those hunting for Wild Life and Game Animals to suspend their activities forthwith in the state as part of measures to curtail the outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Nigeria.

This was disclosed today in a release signed by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abeokuta.

She stated that hunting of Wild Life and Game Animals do facilitate the outbreak of the disease as they pose some risks.

Sokefun, however assured that the risk of slaughtered animal at the state’s slabs having Ebola Virus is false, saying that the rumoured outbreak in slaughtered cattle should be discountenanced.

While noting that transmission is relatively easy through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, sweat and vomit of infected animals, particularly through monkeys or fruit bats. She advised that domestic pets be screened, especially at night in an environment that are known to have significant bat population or areas that serve as migratory routes for bats.

Sokefun also advised members of the public to stop the consumption of salvaged or dead animals, while meats should be properly cooked.

The commissioner noted that the virus is presently at the human to human level, adding that, her Ministry has placed respective officials on alert for quick intervention at the Animal-Human Interface with four dedicated toll free lines.

The lines are; 08033371451, 08033794450, 08033892861, and 08025195494.

In a similar vein, the state government has stepped up security and surveillance along border areas in other to ensure the State remains Ebola free.

Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Commissioner for Health made this known in Abeokuta while addressing newsmen.

He said that the Governor Ibikunle Amosun led administration has authorized further training of health workers, purchase of protective equipment for health workers and other agencies.

Soyinka explained that the arrival of the diseases necessitated increased action, particularly in informing the general public about the signs and symptoms of Ebola, the behaviour of the virus and how to protect themselves.