Effect of Ebola Virus on Bush Meat Sales in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

The Ebola virus and its link to bush meat species in Nigeria was received differently by people. While some believed and took precautions others did not and continued the consumption of bush meat. Consequently, a survey of ten markets in Benin City was undertaken between December 2014 and April 2015 to compare bush meat patronage during the pre- and post -Ebola period. Markets visited included, Oba Market, New Benin Market, Oliha market, Uwa market, Santana market, Evbuotubu market, Oregbeni market, Uselu market, Ekiosa market and Ugbighokho market. Questionnaires were administered to 95 traders by random sampling. Results showed that 43.2% had been in the trade for over 10 years. Only 63.5% believed in the reality of the virus. Precautions were taken by 65.6% of the respondents. There was no significant association between knowledge of Ebola Virus and precautions taken (P>0.05). Some traders in bush meat interviewed lamented the low sales they recorded daily as compared to the pre-Ebola period. Others (53.7%) said sales were still the same while 22.1% believed it was higher. Prices of the various bush meat species dropped during the Ebola Virus scare and returned to normal or a little below the initial price immediately after. Continuous education should be given to Nigerians on the reality of the Virus to forestall any accidental re-occurrence.