RED ALERT: Bush meats, fruit bats, others are carriers of the EBOLA virus [DETAILS]

by Kolapo Olapoju

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has advised rural communities in West Africa about the risks of contracting the Ebola virus from eating certain wildlife species, specifically fruit bats and bush meats.

Juan Lubroth, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the FAO, said the virus could be transmitted by direct contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people as well as infected animals.

“Curbing human-to-human transmission is the most important focus for governments and international health agencies,” he said. “We are not suggesting that people stop hunting altogether, which isn’t realistic, but communities need clear advice on the need not to touch dead animals or to sell or eat the meat of any animal that they find already dead.”

The West African epidemic is believed to have started when the virus moved from wildlife into the human population as a result of close contact with the infected animals.

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However, FAO is working closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness of the transmission risks from wildlife among rural communities that hunt for bushmeat – or meat obtained from the forests.

Speaking further, the FAO officer said people should endeavour to avoid hunting sick animals or those exhibiting strange behaviours.

“The virus is killed when meat is cooked at a high temperature or heavily smoked, but anyone who handles, skins or butchers an infected wild animal is at risk of contracting the virus.”

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