Olaitan O. Omitola

By Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson and Olaitan O. Omitola

A propensity to re-emerge is a characteristic of bacterial zoonoses, diseases caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans from animals. Research shows that their transmission occurs in Nigeria, the most populated nation in Africa. However, due to insufficient epidemiological surveillance of bacterial zoonoses, the magnitude and burden of these infectious diseases is not fully acknowledged. They are therefore not a priority target of the national public health policy. This lesser concern is regardless of their likely role in the extensive prevalence of non-malarial undifferentiated fever in Nigeria. Several animal reservoirs and arthropod vectors of transmission have been identified for these diseases, Yet, the increase in cases of undiagnosed febrile illness emphasizes the imperative to undertake an extensive evaluation of other possible reservoirs, vectors and transmission cycles that may raise the local risk of zoonotic bacterial infections. Animal health interventions have been advanced as an economically viable and practical approach. Further, facilitating the operation of a community-based One Health program is essential to providing the comprehensive epidemiological information that is required in order to improve prioritization of bacterial zoonoses. This would generate impetus for much-needed investment in relevant public health interventions.

Part of the book: Zoonosis of Public Health Interest

By Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson, Hammed Oladeji Mogaji, Olaitan O. Omitola, Adedotun Ayodeji Bayegun and Uwem Friday Ekpo

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a water-borne parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. The disease is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting more than 200 million people worldwide, but predominantly, about 90%, in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria shoulders the largest share of schistosomiasis cases on the African continent. While efforts to combat this disease have traditionally focused on human infections, there has been limited attention given to infections in livestock that might have the potential to spread to humans. Recent empirical findings indicate that, apart from Schistosoma species primarily associated with humans, there are schistosomes in livestock that can infect humans as well. This raises the possibility of genetic material mixing between cattle and human schistosomes, known as hybridization. This phenomenon poses a risk of zoonotic diseases transmission. This chapter delves into ongoing research concerning schistosome hybridization in Nigeria and elucidates its adverse effects on elimination endeavors. Furthermore, it explores the factors that encourage interactions between human and livestock schistosomes and outlines strategies for addressing these concerns.

Part of the book: Current Topics in Zoonoses