RESUMO
Rabies is a neglected disease endemic in Asia and Africa but is still a significant public and veterinary health threat. Whilst a key delicacy for the local diet, bats are a natural reservoir host for many viral zoonotic agents including lyssaviruses, the causative agent of rabies. Studies on knowledge and practices linked to the disease will help to identify gaps and define preventive strategies that may subsequently result in a reduction and the potential elimination of human rabies. In order to assess the public health awareness of bat rabies among specific population groups in Makurdi (Nigeria), structured questionnaires (n = 154) were administered by face-to-face interviews to bat handlers and persons residing near bat roost sites. A total of 59.7% of the respondents were persons residing near bat roost sites, 13% were bat hunters, 25.3% were bat meat consumers and 1.9% were university researchers. Only 6.5% of respondents reported using some form of personal protective equipment (PPE) ranging from hand gloves, face/nose masks and protective boots to lab coats/coveralls while handling bats, whilst the majority (93.5%) did not use any form of PPE. With a mean knowledge score of 8.34 out of a possible 12 points, 50.6% of respondents had good knowledge of bats and their disease-carrying potential, 39.6% had fair knowledge, while 9.7% had poor knowledge. Log linear models showed significant associations between knowledge score and level of education, as well as knowledge score and occupation. The latter highlights the requirement to enhance public education among bat handlers and persons residing near bat roosts on the need to protect themselves better, while handling bats particularly during processing of bats for food and on steps to take when exposed to bites from bats.
RESUMO
This study investigated 13-commercial biofertilisers for their microbial contents and potential functional capabilities using a culture-based approach. Isolates obtained were identified by sequencing the partial I6S rRNA gene and ITS 1 and 2 regions and screened for plant growth-promoting capabilities. A total of 58 bacterial and three fungal isolates were obtained from all biofertilisers, with major genera being Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Candida and Aspergillus. Five of the biofertilisers had the microbes (all or some) listed in the label detected while eight products had none detected. All the products had more microbes than that declared in the labels, suggesting the presence of potential contaminants. Generally, all the identified microbes, including the potential contaminants, had different beneficial capabilities. Approximately 40% of the isolates showed potential for nitrogen-fixation, while 27% exhibited high phosphate-solubilisation ability. Additionally, 87% of the isolates produced indole acetic acid in the range of 0.1-114.4 µg/mL. High levels of siderophore production were mainly observed amongst Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera. The potential of the microbes, including those not listed in the label, to fix nitrogen and produce acid phosphatase, indole acetic acid and siderophore, was highest in four products. This suggests the products have multiple functional abilities in improving crop productivity. However, other qualities of biofertiliser, such as viable cell count and level of contamination, must always be within the acceptable standards. This will guarantee high product quality as well as efficiency when applied in the field. Overall, the results show that there is a high correlation between microbial compositions and potential capability of biofertilisers for plant-growth promotion.
