Lagos stops tuberculosis infected beef from circulation

[Mirror]

The Lagos State Government at the weekend averted what could have caused a major epidemic.

The government intercepted tonnes of suspected contagious beef from illegal slaughter slabs across the state.

Some disease-stricken cattle were alleged to have been smuggled into country through the nation's porous borders from over 17 countries.

If the beef gotten from the cattle were allowed to circulate, residents who consumed them might have been infected with deadly diseases.

The beef were, therefore, intercepted at illegal slaughter slabs across the state.

The state government, however, warned residents to desist from patronising unapproved slaughter slab to avoid buying infected beef for consumption.

Addressing journalists on the development, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Co-operatives, Nuraini Funso, urged the members of the public to be cautious of the beef they buy.

He said: "The cattle are infected with tuberculosis. They are smuggled out of the market to illegal slaughter slab for secret sale to unsuspecting public. They are the condemned animals from the market. Our borders are porous, if you go to the Agege cattle market, animals are being supplied from over 17 African countries. Our borders are porous, most of the animals come into the countries through our northern borders and their point of call is Lagos.

"We have major abattoir at Agege and other 20 legal slaughter slabs across the state. The infected meat were discovered at Ajegunle, Ajelogo Alapere . Lagos market keeps evolving and over 3,000 animals are being slaughtered everyday, so it is difficult to nab them. We have just provided 200 refrigerated vehicles in addition to about 20 already provided just to ensure wholesome meat get to the consumers.

"If a family buys this infected meat and consume it, the entire family will be infected with diseases. Even it is not safe for those slaughtering them, it endangers public health. At all the legal slabs, we have the professionals who screen and inspect animal slaughtered to ensure they are safe for consumption."

National Mirror

[Mirror]