Ahead of the Christmas festivities, the chief veterinarian and director of epidemiology, Abia State Ministry of Agriculture, Nwokedi Onu, has warned against the consumption of unhealthy chicken.
Onu spoke during de-contamination of the Bird Mini Market in Umuahia, the state capital by the ministry in collaboration with the National Association of Seadogs, Bunker Bay chapter, Umuahia, and the Nigeria Red Cross Society.
He said: “The exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety of the consumers and inline with the government’s drive to improve the health condition and well-being of the people.”
The director underscored the importance of protecting birds from being infected by either avian influenza or other diseases that can also affect human beings.
He said both dealers and butchers should ascertain the health status of any bird before buying and slaughtering them, and selling to avoid possible infection.
He also urged the traders to be law-abiding and condemned the attitude of those who failed to present their cages for the exercise even after they had been dully notified about it earlier.
Similarly, the chapter president, Eze Nwosu, said the exercise was part of their services to humanity and to partner the government in safeguarding the people’s health.
Chioma Joshua and Oluomachi Uzochukwu of the society advised meat consumers to chose wisely to avoid any unpleasant situation later.
