RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In early 2010, outbreaks of lead poisoning due to artisanal gold mining in villages in the northwest Nigerian state of Zamfara have resulted in the death of hundreds of children < 5 years old. There have also been unconfirmed reports of high mortality of geese within these villages. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of lead poisoning in three domestic free-range chickens found in one of the affected communities where illegal small-scale gold mining activities take place. METHODS: Three free-range domestic chickens were presented during a field investigation in one of the villages. The birds were observed to be emaciated, weak, showing nervous manifestations and moribund. RESULTS: Tissue extracts of liver, spleen and intestines were negative for Newcastle viral antigens, while cultures of liver and spleen biopsy were positive for Escherichia coli. Histopathological lesions were observed in the kidney, proventriculus and brain. Concentrations of lead in the tissues ranged between 7.5 mg/kg and 120.5 mg/kg wet weight, and the potential daily intake of lead in the tissues were estimated at 34.06-200.15 µg/day/kg body weight with an average of 118.37 µg/day/kg body weight. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest probable risk to human health due to the consumption of chicken contaminated by lead in the affected villages. Poisoning in animal populations may serve as a sentinel to assess the extent of environmental contamination and human health problems related to lead. ETHICS APPROVAL: Protocols were approved and performed in accordance with relevant local guidelines and regulations as set by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Rabies is a fatal neglected zoonosis killing 55,000 people worldwide annually. It is endemic in Nigeria with 10,000 people exposed annually through dog-bites. To inform adequate intervention due to the rise in reported dog-bite cases, we assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 224 residents in Abuja Municipal Area Council. We used structured questionnaires to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes on rabies prevention. Knowledge score of ≥ 8 points based on ten-point domain question were regarded as satisfactory. We analyzed data using Epi-Info and Excel for proportions and associations were determined at 5% significance level. RESULTS: A total of 123 (55%) respondents owned dogs. One hundred and eighty four (82%) respondents had satisfactory knowledge on rabies prevention, about 87% knew where to get dogs vaccinated and would seek medical treatment from the hospital when bitten by a dog. Majority (58%) did not know the frequency of anti-rabies administration for dogs and 63.3% did not know the appropriate first aid actions following dog-bites. Of 123 dog owners, 35% would allow their dogs roam without restriction and 94% reported vaccinating their dogs against rabies. Dog owners were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of rabies compared to non-dog owners (OR 7.8, 95% CI 1.0-62.0, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Knowledge on rabies is satisfactory but with gaps in the frequency of dog anti-rabies vaccination, appropriate first-aid following dog bites and non restriction of dog movement. To prevent rabies, these gaps need to be addressed through public enlightenment and enforcement of dog movement restrictions laws.
