The Federal Government has issued a public alert regarding an outbreak of poison in animals at the Mandate Cattle Market located near the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies Adewole in Ilorin, Kwara State. Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, conveyed this information in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Fashedemi, the preliminary investigation indicates that the animals were exposed to poison after grazing on forage that had been fumigated with organophosphate chemicals. This exposure led to the outbreak of poisoning, resulting in the mortality of cattle herds at the market on April 20. The clinical signs observed among the affected animals included hypersalivation and weakness.
In response to the situation, the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that, upon noticing the symptoms, the herders decided to slaughter seven of the severely affected animals for public consumption. This decision poses significant public health risks, as consuming meat from poisoned animals can have severe consequences within the food chain.
To address the issue, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) in every state of the Federation, comprising Federal Epidemiology Officers, State Directors of Veterinary Services, and State Epidemiology Officers, has been placed on alert. In Kwara State, the RRT, in collaboration with the State Government’s Task Force, has taken swift action to trace and confiscate the meat from the slaughtered animals. The meat was subsequently disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner to prevent further health risks.
Additionally, efforts have been made to treat suspected poisoned animals with organophosphate antidotes. Forty animals showing signs of poisoning were administered treatment, leading to an improvement in their health and eventual recovery.
The situation underscores the importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety of food sources and the need for prompt response to incidents that pose risks to public health. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the poisoning outbreak in the affected area.