Neglected zoonotic diseases in Nigeria: role of the public health veterinarian

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases accounts for about 75% of emerging infectious disease and can be devastating to both human and animal health globally. A subset of zoonotic diseases is referred to as “neglected zoonotic diseases - NZDs” as they mainly affect poor populations who live in close proximity to domestic or wild animals often in areas where access to health and adequate sanitary facilities are not available. Furthermore, underestimation of the burden of NZD has continually led to its further neglect in least developed countries such as Nigeria. Controlling zoonotic infections including NZDs in animals is crucial in reducing human infections. Veterinarians provides an understanding of the epidemiology of infectious diseases in animal population and are therefore integral for the overall reduction in global burden of NZDs worldwide. Due to the current lack of and in some cases weak involvement of Veterinarians in policy issues related to zoonotic diseases, there is need to elucidate their importance in NZDs control in Nigeria. This review therefore summarises the neglected zoonotic diseases so far documented in Nigeria and also highlight the important role of the Veterinarian in their prevention and control within both human and animal population. Important recommendations to strengthen the role of the public health Veterinarian for sustainable control of NZDs were made.

Prevalence and distribution ofEchinococcusspp. in wild and domestic animals across Africa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Although most communities have some knowledge about CE, their behavioural practices such as clandestine killing during periods of festivities/harvest and poor disposal of offal (Thys et al., 2019) remain a major factor contributing to the maintenance of CE across endemic communities. Meanwhile, the role of veterinarians in the control of CE has been stressed as their activities are mostly conducted at the human–animal interface targeted at preventing, controlling and eliminating infection in both humans and animals and also mitigate the economic loss due to zoonotic diseases (Elelu et al., 2019). Additionally, since CE transmission requires humans (behaviour and practices), animal and the environment for successful transmission, the importance of a One Health approach has also been emphasized in the control of CE (Ahmed, Hassan, et al, 2018; Pieracci et al., 2016).…”

Zoonotic Diseases: Etiology, Impact, and Control

“…They also implemented a WHO roadmap for the assessment of preventive and control strategies for those neglected tropical diseases [ 203 ]. Important zoonotic diseases include rabies, anthrax, cysticercosis, brucellosis, foodborne trematode infections, leishmaniasis, echinococcosis, and zoonotic sleeping sickness [ 204 , 205 ]. Zoonotic diseases that have been neglected (neglected zoonoses) include rabies in Africa and Asia; echinococcosis and taeniasis ( Taenia solium ) in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; leishmaniasis in Asia and Africa; and cysticercosis and foodborne trematodiasis in Africa [ 206 ].…”

Prioritised Zoonotic Diseases of Nepal: A Review

“…Endemic zoonotic diseases are present in many portions of the globe and affect large group of human and animal population. Epidemic zoonotic diseases are scattered and patchy in the occurrence whereas the emerging zoonotic diseases are those diseases whose incidence are increasing rapidly across the globe, and these disease maybe new or may have occurred in the past (Maudlin et al, 2009).In the least developed countries of the world, around 20% of all human morbidity and mortality are attributable to endemic zoonoses (Elelu et al, 2019).Anthrax, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, leishmaniasis, rabies and human African trypanosomiasis are eight diseases identified by WHO as neglected zoonotic diseases (NZD) (Adhikari and Bagale, 2019). NZD have a dual burden as they can be devastating to both public health and animal health, and the most vulnerable people are the millions of poor livestock keepers found globally (Adhikari and Bagale, 2019).…”