The National President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Prof. James Damen has called on Nigerians to do away with the consumption of roasted cow hide (Pomo)
to avoid contracting anthrax disease.
Prof Damen explained this to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday. He reiterated the Federal Government alert to the nation on June 13 of an outbreak of anthrax disease in neighbouring countries.
“In as much as Nigerians love eating `pomo’, we should be careful with its consumption because one cannot rule out the migration of animals from one country to the other.
“Anyone who eats pomo’ from a cow that is infected with anthrax would definitely come down with the disease; so it is in our best interest not to consumepomo’’ he warned.
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals. Human beings can get ingected with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
The symptoms of Anthrax disease includes cough, fever and muscle aches.
When it is not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems and difficulty in breathing, shock and death.
