Bushmeat is a delicacy in Nigeria and many other African countries, especially in the central and western regions. It commands higher prices than regular meat in many cities. This is all in spite of being of it being linked to multiple diseases, a good number of which are deadly.
Each year, outbreaks of diseases linked to bushmeat consumption are seen in Nigeria. This could make many wonder what steps the government is taking to curb this trend, if any.
Bushmeat. Image Credit: Wikiseal
What is Bushmeat?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes bushmeat as meat of any kind that is potentially obtained from wild animals, especially those caught in developing countries. In Africa, the term usually refers to the meat of game – a catchall for meat of animals killed in the forests.
Non-human primates (NHPs) such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and mangabeys are more likely to come to mind at the mention of “bushmeat.” However, the bulk of animals hunted comprises antelopes, grass-cutters, pangolins, mandrills, squirrels, and porcupines.
For many families in rural areas, bushmeat hunting not only provides animal proteins but also an income. The practice has, therefore, persisted despite the inherent risks to human health.
The Danger of Bushmeat Consumption
The outbreaks of several serious diseases have been linked or suspected to have a link to pathogens from wild animals. More specifically, bushmeat consumption has played a key part in the transmission of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Scientists say this species of retrovirus is to blame for infections in dozens of NHPs in Africa.
Exposure to SIV in NHPs either through bushmeat consumption or other means led to the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to scientists.
Apart from HIV/AIDS, people in Nigeria have been exposed to other diseases that have a link to viruses from wild animals. There is hardly any year that Lassa fever cases are not reported, especially in recent years. Monkeypox appears to be the main focus at this time, however.
A rare viral infectious disease, monkeypox is endemic in areas in the proximity of tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. The pathogen responsible for it is the monkeypox virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency in July.
Human infections occur from contact with the bodily fluids, skin, or mucosal lesions of infected monkeys, rodents, and other forest animals. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, including through contact with materials contaminated by an infected person.
There were 277 reported cases of monkeypox in Nigeria as of the middle of September this year. That was already the highest number of reported cases since the 88 in 2017, as per the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Yet, the country has no vaccines to combat the recent surge in monkeypox cases.
Ebola outbreaks are among the other health threats that have been linked to the consumption of bushmeat. The 2014 epidemic, perhaps, struck greater fear in Nigerians than even the more recent coronavirus pandemic.
Researchers have noted the risk of a possible occurrence of a new HIV epidemic, arising from recombination between HIV and new SIVs. This is as commercial activities, including logging, make previously remote forest areas accessible.
Response by Government
It is common knowledge in Nigeria that the government is hardly ever proactive. The authorities are, in most cases, reactive in their approach. There are several examples to buttress this point, including the attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the observed upsurge in monkeypox cases in May, the Nigerian government banned the sale and transport of bushmeat. This was supposed to avert an increase in cases. Yet they rose to 277 by mid-September, from 21 as of the time the ban was announced.
It wasn’t the first time the government had issued such bans. They are usually only effective for a short time, if at all.
During the 2014 Ebola epidemic, a similar action was taken to discourage bushmeat business and consumption. It was effective for some time, most likely because many people were scared by events unfolding from the outbreak.
With the Ebola epidemic over, the business of bushmeat selling gradually rebounded. Hunted wild animals are openly sold in many places – often in roasted form at markets and roadside in some rural areas. Those who patronize the sellers in many cases eat the roasted meat as is without cooking.
The demand for bushmeat has been observed to even be increasing in urban areas. This makes hunting more lucrative as a result of rising prices.
Health experts say the government needs to do more than it is doing currently in terms of awareness creation. People need to be educated more on the risks associated with eating or touching bushmeat.
Many Nigerians lack sufficient knowledge on how to avoid diseases that are commonly transmitted from NHPs.
There is also a need for better enforcement. There are hardly any reports of punitive actions being taken against those who flout rules on bushmeat.
References
Elsevier. (n.d.). Bushmeat – an overview. ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/bushmeat
Sahara Reporters. (2022, June 1). Nigerian government bans movement, sale of bush meat amid rising monkeypox cases. https://saharareporters.com/2022/06/01/nigerian-government-bans-movement-sale-bush-meat-amid-rising-monkeypox-cases
