How proper inspection of meat at abattoirs will prevent TB, other diseases, by NVMA

Veterinarians have called for proper inspection of meat at the abattoir as essential for prevention of zoonotic tuberculosis, brucellosis, cysticercosis and other diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is also known as undulant fever, Malta fever, and Mediterranean fever.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium. These larval cysts infect brain, muscle, or other tissue, and are a major cause of adult onset seizures in most low-income countries.

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Oyo State branch, during a meat inspection at the Central Abattoir, Amosun Village, Akinyele, Ibadan.

Chairman, NVMA Oyo State branch, Dr. Adedayo Adejuyigbe, at the event, said: Meat is an important source of protein forms part food of Nigerians. Hence, the need to take care of the critical source of protein cannot be overstated. We are professionals who take care of food animals, which are sources for meat. Also known as veterinary doctors or veterinary surgeons, we are medical professionals that are trained to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of animals. We are also involved in food safety by ensuring that food of animal origin are free of antimicrobial drugs and microbial agents that can cause diseases in humans.”

In order to educate the general public regarding the roles of veterinarians in the society, the NVMA, Oyo State branch did a plethora of events to mark her week for this year.

The association also held a symposium with theme, “Healthy Meat for Wealth.” There were two lectures one titled, “Benefits of Upholding Standard Abattoir Practices” and the second one, “Abattoir Services in Oyo State: Past, Present and Future”.There was also free anti-rabies vaccination of dogs at eleven designated veterinary clinics/hospitals in Oyo State to celebrate the World Rabies Day.

Adejuyigbe, in his speech at the symposium, lauded the government for ensuring that enforcement was made for all to make use of the Central Abattoir located at Amosun village, Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan.He also stressed the need for proper use of the abattoir with good result on the health of the general public.

According to him, there is an urgent need to employ more veterinary doctors to work as meat inspectors. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Muyiwa Ojekunle, disclosed that the government would build another three standard abattoirs at different locations in the state. Ojekunle said adequate number of veterinary doctors would be employed to ensure that proper meat inspection is done to safeguard the health of the people.

Also a veterinary doctor and general secretary of the Association of Private Veterinary Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Oyo State branch, Dr. Temidayo Bakare, said rabies can be transmitted from infected animals to humans when bitten or in contact with the animal’s saliva

In his words, “dogs being friends of humans are the major source through which humans contract rabies. The disease when contracted by animals and humans is very deadly without any form of cure.

“With the presence of rabies in dog, it becomes unfriendly to people, even its owners”. According to the veterinarians, the primary method of prevention, and the more cost-effective intervention in the fight against rabies, is vaccination of domestic pets, particularly dogs. They said with the free anti-rabies vaccination activity done at the eleven veterinary clinics/hospitals on the World Rabies Day, September 28, 274 dogs were vaccinated.

This, Adejuyigbe said, was intended towards achieving zero human death from rabies by the year 2030. “More than 59,000 people die of rabies each year globally. That is about one person dying of rabies every nine minutes. Most of these deaths are in Africa and Asia, and nearly half of the victims are children under the age of 15. The benefits of activities of veterinarians are not limited to animal health but also extend to human and environmental health,” he said.