The challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is grave in developing countries. Antimicrobials are misused yet stakeholders’ contribution to antimicrobial stewardship is low. Veterinary students are future prescribers and their knowledge could influence progress in combating AMR; hence, there is a need to assess their knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR. A multi-institutional questionnaire was administered to undergraduates in Nigerian veterinary schools. It comprised demographics, own personal antibiotic usage, and knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR in humans and animals. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analyses. Of the 426 respondents, 39.2% reported personal antimicrobial use in the previous six months. Over 60% received knowledge scores lower than average and >87% requested more education on clinical use and prescriptions pre-graduation, monitored dispensing of antimicrobials, conducting AMR research, and confirmed link among human, animal, and environmental health. Less than 25% of respondents were aware of antimicrobial stewardship and global efforts/organizations for AMR. Final year students have 9-fold and 14-fold more satisfactory knowledge on antimicrobials in humans and animals compared with other students, respectively (p = 0.001). Final year students also have more knowledge (13×) and awareness of contributory factors (3×) on AMR (p = 0.001) than other students. Unsatisfactory knowledge on AMR issues exists among veterinary students yet willingness to improve was observed. Identified knowledge, attitude, and gaps in AMR awareness should be targeted by veterinary schools in Nigeria.

The effects of different diets on haematological parameters of different species of poultry have been examined in this review. In Nigeria, different poultry species contribute to the animal protein supply of the populace in terms of eggs laid and meat produced. Feeding poultry for optimum growth production requires that the birds consume appropriate balanced diets for the health and productivity, it is important that they be fed diets that meet their nutritional requirements. Dietary components affect the blood profile of healthy birds. The blood transports or conveys nutrients and materials to different parts of the body. Therefore, whatever affects the blood, either nutrition or drugs will certainly affect the entire body adversely or moderately in terms of health, growth, maintenance and reproduction. Thus, a readily available and fast means of assessing, clinical and nutritional health status of animals on feeding trials may be the use of blood analysis, because ingestion of dietary components have measurable effects on blood composition.

Introduction the on-going COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has imposed serious public health and economic threats on the entire world population. The SARS-CoV-2 has been identified from both domestic and wild animals constituting a threat to humans since most apparently healthy animals may potentially infect and cause the disease in humans, especially Animal Health Professionals (AHPs) who come directly in contact with animals. These professionals such as veterinarians play important roles among the One Health team in controlling the pandemic. This survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, risk perception, and prevention behaviors of AHPs in Nigeria who are important personnel in the control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and infectious diseases. Methods an online-based epidemiological cross-sectional pre-tested questionnaire survey was carried out from April to May 2020. A total of 427 AHPs joined this survey. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data collected. Results the respondents have a mean knowledge score of 7.34 ± 2.05 (from a total possible score of 11) with the majority (66.7%, n = 285) having satisfactory knowledge scores on COVID-19. A high proportion (240/353) of respondents reported bats to be the major wildlife incriminated in the transmission of the COVID-19 virus though other animals reported were tiger, monkey, lion, and pangolin. At least, a quarter 131 (30.7%) of respondents perceived that visiting live animal markets is of high zoonotic risk to the spread of coronavirus. Most respondents reported hands washing and sanitizing after handling animals, and using personal protective equipment when handling suspected animals. At p<0.05; respondents' age, marital status, professional status, and geopolitical zone were significantly linked with satisfactory knowledge. Veterinarians (OR=0.40; 95%CI: 0.22–0.75) were thrice less likely to possess unsatisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 than laboratory technologists. Conclusion participants in this survey have a satisfactory level of COVID-19 knowledge and good mitigation measures instituted while working at their stations. However, AHPs need more enlightenment about the various zoonotic risk pathway contributing to the transmission of COVID-19.

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Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is common in most developing countries like Nigeria. Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic infectious zoonotic disease of domestic animals and humans. It is characterized by formation of granulomas in tissue especially the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, intestines and the kidneys. In Nigeria bovine tuberculosis is endemic and mostly transmitted to humans through ingestion of unpasteurized contaminated milk and contact with infected animals. It is important to pasteurize milk before human consumption. The Fulani herdsmen that are predominantly rural dwellers should also be educated on the need to boil milk before consumption since they lack infrastructures for pasteurization. Tuberculosis causes great economic losses on farmers and is of public health importance. The meat inspection system should also be strengthened and designed to prevent the consumption of contaminated products. This review advocates that developed countries should provide educational and technical assistance to developing countries like Nigeria to promote the control of tuberculosis. In Africa heads of government, agricultural and health sector should create the infrastructures necessary for this to be achieved. Personnel at all levels of the control program should be properly trained.