JUST-IN: FG alerts public over poisoned animals at Kwara abattoir

• Earlier, the Kwara state government temporarily shut the abattoir at Mandate market in Ilorin.
• The move follows reports of the sale of meat from 33 cows reportedly killed due to poisoning.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has issued an urgent public alert following an outbreak of unintentional poisoning in trade animals at the Mandate Cattle Market in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident, which was first noticed on April 20, 2024, involved cattle that grazed on forage contaminated with organophosphate chemicals.

As a result, several animals died, and others displayed symptoms such as hypersalivation, weakness, and recumbency.

In an attempt to mitigate losses, herders slaughtered seven severely affected animals for public consumption, which posed serious public health risks.

However, the state’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), comprising federal and state veterinary officers, collaborated with the state government’s task force to trace, confiscate, and dispose of the contaminated meat safely.

According to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, 40 suspected poisoned animals were treated with organophosphate antidotes, resulting in marked health improvements and recoveries.

The ministry has advised the public to avoid consuming meat and animal products contaminated with organophosphates and to buy meat from certified sources, such as registered abattoirs and meat shops.

Additionally, the ministry has advised the public to refrain from consuming meat from dead animals, observe a withdrawal period of 14-21 days after administering drugs or chemicals to animals before consumption, dispose of dead animals properly under the guidance of veterinarians, report any diseased or suspected diseased animals to veterinary clinics or health service providers, and notify local communities before applying chemicals on open farmlands to prevent grazing for at least one week.

Fashedemi reassured the public that the ministry, through its Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, will continue to collaborate with state veterinary services to ensure the highest standards of veterinary and agricultural practices in the country.