Zoonotic diseases pose significant public health risks in abattoir settings, necessitating effective practices to prevent transmission. This study assessed abattoir procedures and zoonotic diseases common in cattle slaughtered at the Lokpanta cattle market in Abia State, Nigeria, from 2021 to 2024. A mixed study approach was employed, utilizing secondary data from abattoir records, veterinary reports and observational study. About eleven thousand eighty eight (11088) cattle were slaughtered from 2021-2024 The study revealed significant gaps in hygiene, sanitation, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. Only one hand-washing facility was available, and equipment cleaning was irregular. PPE usage was alarmingly low, with only a small proportion of workers using gloves, protective clothing, or face masks. Waste management practices were inadequate, with no wastewater treatment system in place. However, regular ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections were conducted. Tuberculosis was the most prevalent zoonotic disease, with rates ranging from 14.3% to 18.4% across the study period. Brucellosis prevalence remained relatively low at around 1.0%, while cysticercosis ranged from 1.0% to 1.11%. Dermatophytosis was detected in 1.5% to 3.0% of cattle. Seasonal variations were observed, with the highest disease prevalence during the dry season (November-March) and the lowest during the rainy season (April-October). The study identified a clear relationship between poor hygiene practices and the prevalence of zoonotic diseases. Recommendations include improving sanitation practices, enforcing PPE usage, implementing proper waste management systems, and enhancing worker training. These findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts between abattoir management, public health authorities, and policymakers to create safer and more sustainable abattoir practices in Nigeria.
Chizuruoke et al. (Fri,) studied this question.