Ebola: Bush meat markets, sellers count loses in Nigeria, London African Market

Are you still crazy about bush meat in spite of the Ebola threat? If you are, Bush meat markets and sellers across the world are looking for you. Ever since the listing of bush meat as a primary source of the dreaded Ebola virus, many now look at bush meat sellers with suspicion, as if they are the viruses themselves.

In Plateau state where there was rumour of the virus, residents now keep off fun spots, especially where chicken, fish and meat are roasted. This has led to poor sales by those who engaged in such businesses. Sales at the bush meat market at old Bukuru Park has dwindled and cool spots” across town including Mines junction are counting their loses.

From Yenagoa, Bayelsa State also comes the news that the bush meat spots located around the Otiotio junction, at the Yenizue-Gene suburb and the Julius Berger axis of Azikoro end of the expressway are now a shadow of themselves. Assorted bush meat such as antelopes, grass-cutters, wild pigs, hedgehogs and monkeys among others could be purchased at the spot.

Vanguard reports that some of vendors said the reports linking the Ebola virus to wild animals had forced most of their customers to stay away from buying bush meat.

One of the vendors selling rabbit was reported as saying: “It has not been easy for us since the Ebola alert. I’m yet to make any sale. Before now, I would have sold at least 15 pieces from my stock especially as families are returning from church services.”

Madam Vivien, who operates a bush meat/palm wine joint along the Edepie-Imiringi road said: “Bush meat for now is like a taboo to many due to the reports linking the virus to wild animals. Customers are avoiding bush meat right now, so we have to stop preparing it.”

The case is also the same in London. At Lagos restaurant in the city, Africans in the UK feel at home. At £5 a plate, dishes include Nkwobi, a traditional delicacy of spiced cow feet and ‘assorted meat and fish’ with pounded yam, as well as giant African snails, served with ‘assorted meats’.


Here is how a recent MailOnline report describes the bush meat rave at the African market at Ridley Road in Dalston, East London. at the there:“With the sun beating down on the strange and exotic-looking meats on sale — some dripping blood, some heavily smoked and impossible to identify — the sights and sounds at this London market are straight out of Africa.


Skinned goat carcasses dangle overhead, blackened cow heads and lamb brains are lined up in trays, while baskets tucked in darker corners brim with yellowing strips of cured flesh”

Yet for all the sunshine, bustle and sound of African voices, the butchers here were oddly tense this week, not to mention strangely reluctant to discuss certain choice cuts of meat.

The low sales fever is just as severe as the Ebola fever. Bush meat dealers across the world cannot wait for the end of Ebola