Abia Residents Warned of Possible Outbreak of Disease
Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Ikechi Mgboji has warned
residents of Abia to desist from eating cow lungs in order not to
contract Bovine Tuberculosis which has been found in Abia.
Mgboji who disclosed this in Aba, said the warning is important
following the discovery of some cows infected with bovine
tuberculosis, a cow disease which causes a general state of illness
manifesting later with coughing and resulting in eventual death of the
affected mammal.
It was reported that Bovine Tuberculosis is a chronic animal disease
caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) related to
the bacteria causing avian and human tuberculosis and can affect all
mammals.
Mgboji said: “Part of our work in this ministry is that any cow
offered for public consumption is usually examined by veterinary
doctors.
“About two weeks ago, two of such cows when killed were found to have
Bovine Tuberculosis (M.bovine) and there is no way to know a cow is
with such a diseases unless they are either killed or tested.So, we
decided to alert people who eat beef to stop eating the lungs of cows
for now but they may eat the flesh.
“They should stop eating that particular organ for now until we are
able to determine if it is a very exceptional case or a prevalent
case.” he said.
Mgboji said that his ministry had alerted all veterinary doctors who
visit the abattoirs in the state to watch out for such disease
manifestation to determine its spread and safeguard lives.
He also noted that the Abia agriculture ministry had alerted cow
dealers in the state to be aware of the discovery and to allow their
cows to be tested to safeguard the lives of beef consumers.
The Commissioner lamented that the cow dealers have not been showing
interest in having their cows tested to determine their fitness for
human consumption, adding that their quest for profit is a threat to
human health.
He called on the Board of Internal Revenue in the state to always send
professionals trained in veterinary medicine to inspect meats in
abattoirs.
He warned against using nonprofessionals in the inspection of meat
meant for consumption by the public, stating that such poses health
hazard to the people.