Investigating Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus seropositivity in camels and human behavioural risks in an abattoir in Nigeria.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging viral pathogen with pandemic potential that is often misdiagnosed. Case fatality in low-resource settings could be up to 40% due to close contact between animals and humans. A two-year cross-sectional study was conducted in Fagge abattoir, Kano State, Nigeria, to estimate the seropositivity of CCHFV in camels using a commercial multi-species competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A closed-ended questionnaire was administered to the abattoir workers to assess their awareness, mitigation, and behavioural practices associated with CCHF. Of the 184 camels tested, 179 (97%) were seropositive for CCHFV (95% confidence interval (CI): 93.77, 99.11). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of respondents was 41 (35-52), with 62% having no education. Respondents had little knowledge about CCHFV and the concept of zoonotic disease. In this study, the high estimated prevalence of antibodies to CCHFV in camels highlights the heightened risk of transmission of CCHFV in Nigeria. Similarly, a concerning lack of knowledge and inadequate preventive practices, alongside a prevalence of high-risk behaviours associated with CCHF among abattoir workers, were noted in this study. Thus, there is an urgent need for comprehensive public health education and collaborative One Health strategies to avert the threats of spillover events.

An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 resurgence has occurred in Nigerian domestic bird flocks with public health concern. This study assessed poultry farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and biosecurity and biosafety practices regarding H5N1 resurgence, explore risk pathways for viral dissemination and associated socio-cultural and economic drivers in poultry flocks in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected two poultry production systems, commercial intensive poultry production system and the backyard traditional free-range poultry production system. A One Health framework model was conceptualized to assess inter-links of biophysical, environmental, and sociocultural activities that interface to drive resurgence for better interventions. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. Of the 422 recruited poultry farmers, 98.6% (n = 416) participated. Majorities of smallholder commercial farmers (93.5%) and backyard poultry keepers (97.7%) engaged in intensive and extensive management, respectively. Identified significant zoonotic risk pathways for H5N1 virus spread were through consumption of undercooked poultry meat and products, and contacts with infected birds and contaminated fomites. Separation of sick birds from apparently healthy ones, frequent cleaning and disinfection of equipment and premises, movement control of birds to nearby water bodies, use of personal protective equipment, and movement control of persons and vehicles into the flock settlements were significantly practiced biosecurity measures. Presence of nearby water bodies (ponds) close to flock settlements (p < 0.001), frequent contact of wild and domestic birds (p < 0.001), cultural practice of bird exchange between flocks (p < 0.001), and wild waterfowls' seasonal migrations (p < 0.001) significantly influenced resurgence. Understanding determinants interactions in the 'Conceptual One Health framework model' is required for better intercontinental intervention against HPAI H5N1. Reform of socio-cultural and economic activities using One Health approach will not only assure food safety and food security, but also guarantee public and environmental health.

Risk assessment and preventive health behaviours toward COVID-19 amongst bushmeat handlers in Nigerian wildlife markets: Drivers and One Health challenge.

Over 70% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic and 72% of them have wildlife reservoirs with consequent global health impacts. Both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 emerged certainly through wildlife market routes. We assessed wildlife handlers' zoonotic risk perceptions and preventive health behaviour measures toward COVID-19 during pandemic waves, and its drivers at wildlife markets using Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs. A cross-sectional study was conducted at purposively selected wildlife markets in Nigeria between November 2020 and October 2021. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariable logistic regressions analyses were performed at 95% confidence interval. Of the 600 targeted handlers in 97 wildlife markets, 97.2% (n = 583) participated. Consumers were the majority (65.3%), followed by hunters (18.4) and vendors (16.3%). Only 10.3% hunters, 24.3% vendors and 21.0% consumers associated COVID-19 with high zoonotic risk. Also, only few handlers practiced social/physical distancing at markets. Avoidance of handshaking or hugging and vaccination was significantly (p = 0.001) practiced by few handlers as preventive health behaviours at the markets. All the socio-demographic variables were significantly (p<0.05) associated with their knowledge, risk perceptions, and practice of preventive health behaviours toward COVID-19 at univariate analysis. Poor markets sanitation, hygiene, and biosecurity (OR=3.35, 95% CI: 2.33, 4.82); and poor butchering practices and exchange of wildlife species between shops [(OR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.34, 2.60) and (OR=2.03; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.88), respectively] were more likely to significantly influence COVID-19 emergence and spread at the markets. To tackle the highlighted gaps, collaborations between the public health, anthropologists, and veterinary and wildlife authorities through the One Health approach are advocated to intensify awareness and health education programmes that will improve perceptions and behaviours toward the disease and other emerging diseases control and prevention.