The Bayelsa state government has cautioned that consuming dead whales could lead to mercury poisoning.
Toyin Azebi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, issued the warning on Thursday while speaking to press following a meeting of the Bayelsa Taskforce on Immunisation and Health Services in Yenagoa.
This comes after locals of Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, allegedly killed a dead whale for sustenance.
It is the second time in recent years that a whale has washed ashore at Okpoama, and much like in 2019, the people killed it with hacksaws, axes, and machetes.
Azebi further stated that consuming dead whales could result in botulism and bacterial infections, both of which could be harmful to people’s health.
Meanwhile, the state administration has rejected the inclusion of Bayelsa State on the list of states affected by the cholera epidemic outbreak, which was recently published by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control in its disease monitoring report.
Azebi stated that there had been no verified epidemic of cholera in the state in recent times, and that the NCDC’s announcement of a cholera outbreak in the state was a complete deception that should be ignored.
According to her, the ministry contacted the NCDC about the issue, and they evaluated the state data again, determining that their initial report was erroneous and agreeing to provide a rebuttal.
What they’re saying
She stated: “The NCDC report is a flagrant misinterpretation of the Bayelsa statistics, and we have confronted them about it. They have reviewed our statistics with us and will shortly issue another statement omitting us as a state with a cholera outbreak.
“Since January 2024, 449 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the eight LGAs. Importantly, just two new suspected instances were reported in the most recent week, indicating that there are no new cases. We can even report these cases of watery diarrhoea due to our state-wide optimised surveillance system.
Extensive testing was done to confirm cholera cases. Only 14 of the 42 rapid diagnostic tests performed were positive.Crucially, all 14 positives from the Rapid Diagnostic tests tested negative when submitted to a culture test.
“Culture tests are the gold standard for cholera diagnosis, but no cases have been confirmed using this method.” This confirms that there is no outbreak. “To summarise, the cholera situation in Bayelsa State is under control, with no confirmed positive cases. The state government is taking active and thorough actions to successfully manage the issue while protecting public health and safety.”
Why this matters
The decomposition process in dead whales can facilitate the growth of harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism. This bacterium thrives in anaerobic conditions (such as within the carcass of a dead whale) and can produce toxins that are deadly to humans.
The government’s warning highlights its responsibility to protect public health. By discouraging the consumption of dead whales, especially those killed under unhygienic conditions, they aim to prevent outbreaks of diseases that could affect the local population.
Government Response to Misinformation
The government’s clarification regarding the cholera outbreak also highlights its commitment to accurate health reporting. Ensuring that disease data is properly evaluated and communicated helps prevent unnecessary panic and allows for effective response measures.
