Health

Eating dead animals dangerous, could cause zoonotic diseases, experts warn Nigerians

Amarachi Okeh

Health experts have cautioned Nigerians against eating animals that died before being properly butchered, noting that the consumption of such animals could lead to serious health complications.

The health experts stressed that the consumption of dead animals could also result in the contracting and spreading of zoonotic diseases to the human populace.

The experts also urged Nigerians to be wary of where they buy butchered animals for consumption, noting that dead animals could also be sold to unsuspecting consumers.

They stressed that these dead animals may be sold even at restaurants, noting that Nigerians must be careful where they buy their foods.

According to experts, cooking may not destroy the poison in dead animals.

Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, the experts, a professor of Public Health, Dr. Tanimola Akande, and a veterinary doctor, Chidozie George, said the reason why eating dead animals is strongly frowned at, is not just because of religious beliefs but because of the public health implications of eating such animals.

Prof. Akande stated that when animals die, they no longer have any circulation maintaining tissues, muscles and organs.

This, he said, increases the chances for germs to increase without internal regulation, adding that these germs may become toxic.

“This is particularly so when the animal is not refrigerated or cooked immediately after its death,” he said.

He disclosed that some animals die as a result of diseases like tuberculosis, disclosing that they can still infect humans with this health when consumed. Some other zoonotic diseases can also be transmitted this way, he said.

“Some animals die as a result of poisoning. If such animals are consumed, those who consumed such animals may also be poisoned,” he warned.

On his part, the veterinary expert, Dr. Chidozie George, stated that even if such meats are grilled, the poisonous substance that killed the animals would not go away, adding that boiling the animal too may not take away the poison in it.

He cautioned farm owners against selling dead animals to Nigerians.

He said, “Farm owners should be wary of this and caution their attendants because most times it is the attendants that do this.

“They see this as an opportunity to make money. They sell to people who resell, particularly birds.”

“Considering my background and knowledge, I don’t eat chicken which I was not there when it was killed.

“Apart from established eateries that I know how they source their chicken; I don’t eat chicken outside except the one I was there when it was killed because you cannot tell.”

He reiterated that a person may become infected by the same disease that killed an animal when it is consumed.

He urged veterinarians and environmental health officials to ensure that dead animals are not sold in abattoirs to prevent diseases associated with eating dead animals.

According to the New York State Department of Health, diseases found in animals such as rabies and chronic wasting diseases have been found to infect humans who eat animals that died from such diseases without knowing.

Also, according to a study conducted by Ugandan-based researchers in 2015 after 49 persons were confirmed to have suffered human anthrax (a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world).

“Gastrointestinal human anthrax outbreak was associated with handling and eating meat from a cow that had died from confirmed anthrax infection,” the study says.

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