The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has intensified efforts to control zoonotic tuberculosis in the human population, marking this year’s Tuberculosis Day.
Dr. Tolu Omotugba, the Kogi State Chairman of NVMA, led a medical team to the Lokoja abattoir in Felele to raise awareness and sensitize butchers and abattoir workers about the global epidemic of zoonotic tuberculosis on Sunday.
Omotugba emphasised the critical need for strict hygiene during slaughter, highlighting the lethal impact of zoonotic tuberculosis on individuals worldwide.
He stated, “We are the gatekeepers to public health. This deadly disease can be transferred from animals to humans. When there is weight loss, consistent coughing, and other symptoms, these are signs of tuberculosis in animals. When an animal is infected, and humans consume such an animal, you all know the outcome.”
Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Omotugba revealed the alarming impact of zoonotic tuberculosis, with 140,000 cases and 114,000 deaths recorded in 2020. However, he expressed optimism about the significant control of zoonotic tuberculosis in the human population through the efforts of veterinary doctors.
The NVMA team distributed essential materials such as nose masks, gloves, and boots to protect abattoir workers against the deadly disease.
In response, Idi Ibrahim, Chairman of the Butchers Development Association in Kogi State, commended the veterinary doctors for their commitment to public health and urged the government to establish a modern abattoir in line with global standards.
The NVMA team in Kogi State was joined by a special team from the Kogi State Center for Tuberculosis Program, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), demonstrating a collaborative effort to combat zoonotic tuberculosis and protect public health.
