Current Prevalence of Tuberculous Lesions among Slaughtered Cattle in Northeastern States of Nigeria

Abstract

An abattoir study on the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in six cattle-producing states of Nigeria was carried out from 2000 to 2004. Out of 302,700 slaughtered head of cattle examined postmortem, 4.05% (CI: 3.12, 4.98) had tuberculosis lesions. The annual prevalences during the study period varied significantly (P < 0.05) from 3.19 to 5.16% with the highest value found in Gombe State (12.27%). The monthly prevalences showed intermittent high levels above the expected prevalence. It was concluded that bovine tuberculosis was still prevalent in Northeastern Nigeria with indications of epidemic proportions existing in Gombe State. The implication of this important zoonotic disease is discussed, and the need for organized disease surveillance, public enlightenment and proper meat inspection to reduce the risk of exposing humans and animals to tuberculosis infection is emphasized.