By Gibson Emeka
Abuja — In Nigeria, bushmeat is more than
just food, it's a culinary tradition and a trade. Despite the risk of
zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever, 45% of the country
consumes bushmeat regularly, and now discussions to raise awareness are
taking center stage.
Following last week's World Zoonoses Day
celebrations, Nigeria's bush meat consumption comes under scrutiny due
to the associated health risks.
Abuja-based civil servant Barnabas Bagudu
among the 45% of Nigerians who consume bushmeat frequently, despite
being aware of the potential risks. His personal favorites include
antelope, rabbit, grasscutter, and alligator.
Bagudu emphasizes bushmeat's unique taste and cultural significance.
"I like bushmeat so much that if I see it
anywhere, I like to eat it, mostly antelope and rabbit. Since it is from
bush, it's blessed by God naturally, more than the one that we trained
at home," he said.
Bushmeat is also a thriving trade for many, like Evelyn Agbo, a seller of various types of bushmeat for over a decade.
She draws a huge patronage across Abuja, Nigeria's capital, with antelope being her bestseller.
Agbo explains the preparation process.
"When I get the bushmeat, I dress it with
salt and heat over fire with firewood until it is dried. I could do this
for two days because if it's not dry, flies will perch on it and
attract diseases," she said.
The World Health Organization states that about 60% of all infectious diseases are zoonotic, passing from animals to humans.
Nigeria has a high prevalence of zoonotic pathogens like Ebola, tuberculosis, and Lassa fever.
Abuja-based public health expert Ejike Orij warns about bushmeat consumption amid a fragile healthcare system.
"So, if for any reason that animal is
infected and then it is now killed and served to humans in bats and in
restaurant, that's how the transmission starts," he said.
Abuja — In Nigeria, bushmeat is more than just food, it's a culinary tradition and a trade. Despite the risk of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever, 45% of the country consumes bushmeat regularly, and now discussions to raise awareness are taking center stage.
Following last week's World Zoonoses Day celebrations, Nigeria's bush meat consumption comes under scrutiny due to the associated health risks.
Abuja-based civil servant Barnabas Bagudu among the 45% of Nigerians who consume bushmeat frequently, despite being aware of the potential risks. His personal favorites include antelope, rabbit, grasscutter, and alligator.
Bagudu emphasizes bushmeat's unique taste and cultural significance.
"I like bushmeat so much that if I see it anywhere, I like to eat it, mostly antelope and rabbit. Since it is from bush, it's blessed by God naturally, more than the one that we trained at home," he said.
Bushmeat is also a thriving trade for many, like Evelyn Agbo, a seller of various types of bushmeat for over a decade.
She draws a huge patronage across Abuja, Nigeria's capital, with antelope being her bestseller.
Agbo explains the preparation process.
"When I get the bushmeat, I dress it with salt and heat over fire with firewood until it is dried. I could do this for two days because if it's not dry, flies will perch on it and attract diseases," she said.
The World Health Organization states that about 60% of all infectious diseases are zoonotic, passing from animals to humans.
Nigeria has a high prevalence of zoonotic pathogens like Ebola, tuberculosis, and Lassa fever.
Abuja-based public health expert Ejike Orij warns about bushmeat consumption amid a fragile healthcare system.
"So, if for any reason that animal is infected and then it is now killed and served to humans in bats and in restaurant, that's how the transmission starts," he said.