Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus (60.46%), Trichostrongylus spp. (46.44%), Ostertagia ostertagi (42.05%), Bunostomum phlebotomum (28.87%), Cooperia spp. (24.27%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (21.97%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.13%), and Fasciola gigantica (10.67%) been the most prevalent. Helminth infection was detected all through the year with the least prevalence recorded in February (55.00%). About 61% of the examined cattle harbored double/multiple helminth species. There was a significant difference between breed, sex, physiological status, and season with the prevalence rate of helminth infections (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrated high prevalence and wide diversity of helminth species, which suggests that helminth infections are of great concern among cattle in Ilorin and Nigeria in general. There is a need for a radical veterinary intervention to curb the menace so as to have an economically robust cattle industry in Nigeria.

The study was conducted to determine the risk factors to brucellosis in one-humped (Dromedary) camels and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of camel handlers to Brucellosis in Katsina State, Nigeria. Camels in herds and those brought to the abattoir for slaughter in the north and central senatorial districts of Katsina State were sampled for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of camel handlers to camel brucellosis in Katsina state, Nigeria Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) with EDTA were used as screening and standard tests respectively. Out of a total of 980 camel sera tested, 11.2% and 10.5% were positive with RBPT and SAT, respectively. Female had OD 1.758 (95% CI = 1.157 – 2.669, p = 0.008) more chances of getting infected than males camels. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2= 7.189, p = 0.007) observed in the prevalence rates in favour of females. It was also observed that camels of age group 16-20 years showed highest prevalence to brucellosis. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2 = 13.602, p = 0.009) observed in the prevalence rates according to age. It was determined that there is very poor knowledge of camel brucellosis amongst stakeholders as a result they had a "lassez faire" attitude towards the disease and no practices towards prevention of infection either to them or their animals. There is the need to carry out awareness campaigns to enlighten camel owners, herdsmen, abattoir staff about the dangers of poor hygiene during meat and milk processing, the importance of use of protective clothing when carrying out these operations and the dangers of zoonotic diseases and the dangers of consumption of unpasteurized camel milk and milk products, the public health significance of the brucellosis and that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.Keywords: Brucella, Seroprevalence, Camels, KAP, Risk Factors

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the status of Brucella infection in one-humped (Dromedary) camels in the North and Central senatorial districts of Katsina State, Nigeria. Nine hundred and eighty serum samples from live and slaughtered camels were tested. Modified Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, (EDTA) were used as screening and standard tests, respectively. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies were 110 (11.2%) and 103 (10.5%) for RBPT and SAT, respectively. Of the 472 and 508 serum samples tested from the herds and abattoirs, respectively, 63 (13.3%) and 47 (9.3%) were positive by RBPT while 62 (13.1%) and 41 (8.1%) were positive by SAT, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that Brucella antibodies were present in camels in the study area. Poor management practices and mixing of camels with other species of livestock as well as unrestricted movement of camels were proposed to be the reasons for the prevalence of the disease in the study area. In view of the public health importance of the disease, it is recommended that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease mainly of domestic animals. The infection is directly transmitted to humans by animals through breaks in the skin or by contact with infected materials like aborted foetuses and placenta. It can also be transmitted indirectly by ingestion of contaminated animal products as well as inhalation of the agent. It is an important zoonosis worldwide which accounts for about 500, 000 reported human cases annually around the globe; particularly amongst agricultural and pastoral populations. It results in serious economic losses in animals due to abortion, reduced fertility, birth of weak off springs and reduced productivity. In humans, it leads to chronic debilitation resulting in low work output and subsequent negative economic impact. The paper reviews brucellosis in different species of animals. It highlights the aetiology, morphology, host

Background This study attempts to review the role of slaughter facilities management of all zoonotic diseases encountered at the abattoirs as well as the safety of meat produced for public consumption in abattoirs in Nigeria. Good hygienic practices were totally absent in the abattoirs. There were dilapidated slaughtering and processing facilities, inadequate clean water supplies, no refrigerators and lack of facilities for the collection and storage of waste. Zoonotic agents demonstrated in slaughtered animals in Nigeria include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Leptospira species, Campylobacter species, Yersinia species, Clostridia species., Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, and Salmonella spp. Other disease-causing infectious agents encountered at the abattoirs include Echerichia coli O157, Salmonella and Campylobacter species. The meat transportation is done by motor bike, wheel barrows and open vehicles and this become sources of physical contamination. Main Body Animals were not being examined regularly before or after slaughter, offals were washed with drainage water, effluent from drainage systems and that meat and organs cleaned from such drainages were sold to the public, leading to unsafe meat being released for public consumption. Meat and carcasses were conveyed out of the abattoir using unhygienic means of transport. Butchers and many abattoir workers were observed not using protective clothing during operations. Waste disposal was indiscriminate not regularly carried out which was hazardous to the environment, while the authorities concerned were not making any effort to improve the situation. Diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Fasciolosis, Tuberculosis and Helminthoses were most frequently encountered some of the diseases were of public health and economic importance. Conclusion Meat Inspection and hygiene Act shall be enacted and signed into law. Provision of waste disposal system such as incinerators are recommended. The drainage system should be upgraded and modernized. Use of abattoir waste as a manure and the slurry as fertilizer is also recommended. In Nigeria none of the abattoirs met the minimum hygienic standard of operation as recommended by the Codex Alimentarius and they could not have supported the production of safe meat and meat products for human consumption.