Ebola Outbreak Linked To Consumption Of Bush Meat - Scientists

Scientists have linked the recent outbreak of Ebola — a disease that causes its victims to bleed to death – to the indiscriminate consumption of raw bush meat and other exotic animals. 

Bush meat is a known a delicacy in many parts of Nigeria. Indeed, many Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry its delicious aroma and taste in native soups, such as Egusi, Efo and Ofe Isla.
However, scientists say consumption and preparation of meat from forest animals, such as fruit bats, monkeys and chimpanzees is behind the transmission of Ebola, which has killed over 660 persons in the last six months in West Africa.

Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, countries where the Ebola Virus is spreading like wildfire, are also prefer such delicacy as meats from grass cutters, antelopes, gorillas and chimpanzees.
According to veterinary expert, Dr. Femi Oboye, game meats – usually free-range animals, which mean they have less saturated fat, which makes them healthier than other fatty meats – could host Ebola, anthrax and yellow fever and some other deadly fevers.
Oboye states that those residing in countries with poor meat inspection policy are at a greater risk of contracting the virus.
                               

"Forest animals like monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees can also get the disease and pass it to humans. Apes are hosts to diseases, such as Ebola, anthrax and yellow fever. One can be infected if one is exposed to the secretions of an infected animal or eats an infected animal.

"We must careful because game meats are hardly inspected before they are sold in the market in many African countries. No procedures are carried out by a professional to determine and guarantee either the flesh or organs are free of diseases and other contaminants," he adds.
Oboye notes that unlike food poisoning where its symptoms manifest a few hours after eating the food, it takes, at least, two to three weeks for the symptoms of Ebola to show in infected persons.
The symptoms of Ebola: fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pain.
Roasted fruit bats are another delicacy in some states in the Southwestern parts of Nigeria. Experts warn that these animals may be infected and roasting them may not kill the virus in the already infected animals.
The contracting of Ebola, the World Health Organisation also states can be by eating fruit bats or eating fruits that have been infected by bats.

Nutritionist, Dr. Yomi Agaja, says this warning is not to say that Nigerians should stay off fruits, but they must be cleaned, properly washed or disinfected in some cases to make sure that some bacteria or viruses that may be in such fruits are denatured.
The early symptoms of Ebola mimic that of malaria and fever. They may not be identified right away – particularly in the early stages of the disease.
Family, friends and health care workers can easily contract the virus while caring for an infected individual, a reason why the disease spreads like fire.
As there is no cure for the disease, prevention is, therefore, the watchword. Experts urge individuals to adhere to stringent personal and environment hygiene to minimise the risk for the infecting the virus.