Diagnostic survey of Kaduna Zango-abattoir, Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

Abattoirs, if utilized effectively, play vital roles in disease surveillance, an inspection of animals and meat, and could protect man from most zoonotic infections which potentially might occur following the consumption of unhygienic, unsafe and unwholesome animal flesh. The Kaduna Zango Abattoir was visited in March-  2019 to obtain information on diseases of cattle slaughtered from 2015 to 2018 and to assess the abattoir facilities. Diseases recorded within the period under review included: Dermatophilosis, Helminthosis, Bovine Tuberculosis, malnutrition, Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia and Foot and Mouth Disease. Practically all (91%) the cattle slaughtered within the period under review was emaciated (malnourished) with dermatophytosis having 4% prevalence and helminthosis 3% prevalence while bovine tuberculosis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and foot and mouth disease all had less than 3% prevalence. The government should provide adequate potable water for the abattoir. The entire abattoir is dilapidated; Government should urgently repair the abattoir. No vehicle for transporting meat to the market; the relevant authority should provide one. No first aid facilities in case of knife cut; the relevant authority should provide one. No electricity supply to the abattoir for the past 15 years; The Government should supply that. No disinfectant; it should be made available at all times to ensure good hygiene practices in the abattoir. No functional cold room to preserve the meat; the cold room facilities should be fixed to yield effective good preservation of meat in the abattoir. The current abattoir Manager is not a Veterinarian; the Government should let a Veterinarian manage it to ensure good professional skills in the abattoir management and to ensure an effective and accurate diagnosis.