Don’t rear animals close to human habitation – Expert warns

Dr Mutiu Oladele-Bukola, a Veterinary Doctor at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, on Monday warned against rearing livestock near human habitation.

Oladele-Bukola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that this was to avoid the transfer of zoonotic diseases from animals to man.

He said human beings were prone to contracting diseases such as tuberculosis, anthras, rabies and avian influenza from animals.

“Animal houses should be well separated from human houses, even dog houses should be separated; when we have contact with animals with bare hands we should endeavour to wash our hands.

“The saliva of non-vaccinated dogs contains rabies virus which can cause madness, even death, if medical aid is not sought immediately.

“So, humans should be careful dealing with dogs, animal bodies contain a lot of ectoparasites like lice, mites, ticks, etc.

“If such parasites are transferred to humans and if care is not taken, it can lead to diseases like mange and ringworm,” he said.

Oladele-Bukola further noted that diseases such as bacillus anthracis when transferred from animal to man could cause death within one week of infection.

“Individuals shouldn’t allow eating/feeding materials to be shared with animals such as dogs; the remnants of food by animals shouldn’t be eaten again by human beings.

“Animal owners should manage them properly, vaccination should be done at the appropriate time; the animal house must be cleaned regularly,’’ he said.

He stressed the need to promptly report animal attacks to veterinary doctors.

“Any dog that bites human being must be arrested to ascertain the presence of rabies in the dog so that the victim can be treated,” Oladele-Bukola said.