The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has revealed that zoonotic diseases are responsible for approximately 2.7 million deaths globally.

It made the revelation yesterday during a press briefing in Jalingo, Taraba State, as part of activities marking its 62nd Annual Congress and Annual General Meeting (AGM), themed “Animal Health, Food Safety and Security: Ensuring a Healthy and Productive Nigeria.”

Led by its National President, Dr Moses Arokoya, the association highlighted that 65 per cent of human infections originate from animals, while 75 per cent of emerging diseases are also zoonotic in nature.

“Zoonotic diseases are one of the core areas of deliberation in this year’s Congress,” Arokoya stated, adding: “They have become an increasingly important global health concern.”

The NVMA also expressed grave concern over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which Arokoya described as a looming global crisis.

“By 2050, it is projected that 39 million people could die annually (yearly) as a result of antimicrobial resistance,” he warned, stating: “This is a very serious issue that requires urgent attention both in Nigeria and across the world.”

The association further lamented the deteriorating conditions of abattoirs across the federation and the shortage of veterinarians in the country’s 774 council areas.

“We cannot boldly say every local government in Nigeria has a veterinarian,” Arokoya submitted, adding: “Veterinarians are the gatekeepers of public health, and their absence in many communities poses a major risk to food safety and disease control.”

He called for a declaration of a state of emergency on the nation’s abattoirs, saying improving meat hygiene and surveillance systems is vital to protecting public health.

The four-day congress, according to him, is to feature several high-profile guests, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and other dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.Zoonotic diseases, as gathered by The Guardian, are illnesses transmitted between animals and humans.