By Emmanuel Answen
The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) on Monday called on the Benue State Government to intensify efforts to mitigate the transmission of zoonotic diseases in the state.
The state chairman, Dr Andrew Amine, made the call during the 2025 World Zoonoses Day celebration in Makurdi.
Amine stated that 60 per cent of diseases affecting humans originated from animals, stressing the urgent need for government intervention to enhance public health.
“Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
“More than 60 percent of diseases affecting humans come from animals, and some, like anthrax, are extremely deadly.
“If an outbreak occurs here, it could endanger the entire city and persist for years,” he explained.
He urged the government to employ more veterinary doctors to strengthen advocacy and implement public health programmes.
“We lack the authority and funding to enforce critical measures like vaccinations.
“Government is expected to have veterinary officers in all Local Government Areas, which we currently do not have.
“As a result, our role is limited to advocacy and sensitisation, while actual implementation lies with the government. We are not a government arm,” Amine added.
He also emphasised the need for the government to foster a collaborative environment where partnership with relevant stakeholders is treated as a necessity, not a choice.
In a keynote presentation titled “Preventing the Next Pandemic: Strengthening One Health Action Against Zoonoses,” Dr Terungwa Ikyye-Tor described zoonotic diseases as infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.
Dr Ikyye-Tor noted that zoonotic diseases pose a serious threat to global health security due to their potential to emerge suddenly and spread rapidly.
“These diseases are caused by various pathogens including bacteria (such as salmonella and bartonella), viruses (like Ebola and influenza), parasites, and fungi (like histoplasma),” he said.
He further explained that transmission could occur through direct contact, indirect contact, and vector-borne routes.
Examples of zoonotic diseases he cited included rabies, salmonellosis, Ebola, avian influenza (bird flu), cat scratch disease, and parrot fever.
Dr Ikyye-Tor stressed that basic hygiene practices remained one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. NAN
