We can’t afford another Zoonotic disease now –National Park CG

Dr. Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service has warned that the world cannot afford another Zoonotic disease now while still battling with Covid-19. Goni who gave the warning in a statement issued by Mr. Yakubu Zull his media assistant, was reacting to the recent report of dead fishes washed ashore by waves in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The areas reported to have been mostly affected are communities in Bonny and Andoni in Rivers and Foropa and Sangana in Bayelsa. He said that Zoonotic diseases are naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa just like the Covid-19  virus. Some don’t make the animal sick but will make humans sick.

“Animals can sometimes appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases range from minor shot-term illness to major life-changing disease that can cause death.” The Conservator General described the incident as an imminent health danger not only to lives of important aquatics in the coastlines, but also the residents of the area. He commended the residents and some patriotic Bonny men who carried out preliminary investigations into the incident that revealed the species of the affected fish as Croaker. According to the reports, the fishes appeared to be contaminated by some sort of chemicals as some of them were swollen, excreting puss from their dead bodies, turned green and had a pungent odour, even from a distance. Goni warned that such fish should not be allowed to enter the markets of the affected communities as that will pose a serious danger to their health. “With a massive and rising death toll, and crumbling economic and education systems, the world has already taken serious hits from Covid-19. Any possible further incident must be quickly brought under control so as to nip in the bud another viral disease, this time originating from Nigeria. He, however, called for more comprehensive investigation into the incident by all relevant stakeholders to forestall the surge of yet another disease in the country. There should also be an immediate plan by experts to mop up the fishes that were reported to have entered some markets in Port Harcourt city. “The affected shores should be cleared before the bodies of the fishes become environmental disaster”. Goni said the management of animals need an integrated approach and application of veterinary science. “Animals should be handled by experts and, more importantly, this requires collaborative, cross-sectoral efforts of both human and animal health systems. This multidisciplinary approach includes considering the complexities of the ecosystems where humans and animals coexist.”