Western Equatoria governor warns against eating dry meat over disease risk

The Governor of Western Equatoria State, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, has urged residents to stop consuming dry meat of unknown origin, warning that the practice could expose them to dangerous zoonotic diseases.

Speaking during a public awareness campaign in Yambio, Governor Rimbasa called on communities to avoid eating dry meat from unidentified sources and to report suspected animal disease outbreaks to the relevant authorities.

He said the state government is committed to protecting public health and encouraged citizens to take an active role in preventing the spread of diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

“As the Government of Western Equatoria State, we will stand firmly against zoonotic diseases. Our people should not expose themselves to these diseases. Every citizen should become an ambassador for disease prevention so that we can save lives,” Rimbasa said.

The governor stressed that preventing zoonotic diseases requires close cooperation between the government and the public. He urged residents to follow public health guidance and avoid practices that could put their health at risk.

Rimbasa also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with Fauna & Flora to conserve biodiversity, protect wildlife, and strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.

The awareness campaign is part of ongoing initiatives by the Western Equatoria State government to promote public health, support environmental conservation, and reduce the risk of diseases transmitted from animals to humans.