| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: The closeness of dogs to humans, in addition to poor veterinary care and zoonotic disease awareness, poses an increased risk of zoonotic disease transmission, resulting in a significant threat to human and animal populations and food security and safety. The diversity and burden of zoonotic pathogens harbored by dogs are underreported due to poor surveillance, limited diagnostic capacity, and limited data on the disease. The purpose of this review was to assemble relevant information from published peer-reviewed literature to assess the incidence of zoonotic pathogens associated with dogs in Nigeria in order to determine the risks involved and identify priority diseases to focus on, knowledge gaps, and areas for surveillance, control, and research in Nigeria. Knowledge of the prevalence and potential role of dogs in disease outbreaks will help heighten awareness, improve veterinary care, and support policy development, including government involvement in control strategies. Dogs live in close contact with humans as pets, for hunting, for security, and as a source of income. In addition, the meat is also consumed by some tribes in Nigeria. Dogs could therefore serve as reservoirs, carriers, and transmitters of zoonotic diseases. This review evaluates the literature from 2000 to 2020 for the prevalence and incidence of zoonotic pathogens associated with dogs in Nigeria. The results obtained show that overall, parasites constituted a majority (64%) of the zoonotic pathogens (or species) identified in dog hosts. A good number of studies have examined the role of ticks in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Further, bacteria make up 22% of the zoonotic pathogens. From this study, it appears that rabies is the major pathogen in dogs for which there is reliable evidence linking contact between humans and dogs. Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria and Plateau State in north-central Nigeria were the most frequently studied states, while prevalence/disease surveillance studies constituted 80% of the overall papers assessed. Interdisciplinary collaborations as well as research and diagnosis policy amendments are missing links to fully appreciate the role of dogs in the transmission of zoonotic diseases in Nigeria. Policies should integrate a one health approach in the Nigerian health system, whereby diagnostic screening of humans and animals by physicians and veterinarians includes zoonotic pathogens for more accurate diagnosis and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
