The Government has appealed to all Kenyans to desist from handling or consuming bushmeat forthwith following reports of cases of Mpox affection in the country.
According to a statement, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano says it is on high alert and through its twin agencies Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) adding that it shall continue to sensitize communities living adjacent to wildlife domiciles or alongside wildlife in conservancies and community areas on the need to keep away from bushmeat poaching and hunting or handling meat from wild animals.
“In any event, the public ought to keep in mind that the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013 prohibits bushmeat poaching and hunting. For the record, bushmeat poaching and hunting is a criminal offence punishable in law.” She said.
Though reported cases are isolated thus far the CS said the prevailing situation, nonetheless, foreshadows a potential eruption if cautionary counsel from experts goes unheeded.
“As guided by medical and animal health experts, Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease meaning that it is communicable between wild animals and human beings.” CS Miano said.
She has encouraged all stakeholders and the public in general to observe and adhere to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health on Mpox and report suspected cases to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.
The spread of zoonotic ailments be they bacterial, viral or parasitic occurs through direct contact or through food, water or the environment and are of significant public health concern globally.
The core axis of zoonotic afflictions involves interaction among human beings, livestock and wild animals.
Aside from Monkey Pox more popularly referred to as Mpox that has already been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is an entire plethora of diseases portended by handling of or consuming bushmeat. They include, Coronavirus, Ebola, Salmonellosis, Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rift Valley Fever, Swine Respiratory Disease, Myiasis, Avian Flu, Tetanus, Cysticercosis and more.
