World TB Day: UNILORIN vet students sensitise butchers in Kwara abattoirs Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

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The Veterinary Students of the University of Ilorin have sensitised operators of the Kwara state abattoirs on dangers of selling cow meat infested with Tuberculosis to the public for consumption.

The sensitisation was carried out on Saturday in Ilorin, the state capital, as part of activities marking the 2024 World TB Day.

Speaking on Bovine TB, Miss Hikma Abdulkareem, the President of the Veterinary Students Association of the University, explained that Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease of animals caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, adding that it is a major zoonotic disease, while cattle are the main source of infection for humans.

Further explaining that it is very similar to the bacterium that usually causes human tuberculosis, the President added that Bovine TB can infest humans with a fatal disease.

She, however, lamented that though some of the butchers were receptive to the messages, others dismissed it that eating any part of cow can’t cause any harm to people, adding that such myopic position by some butchers won’t deter them from continuing with their sensitisation.

Dr Ajadi Abdullateef of the Department of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Ilorin said “this is part of the efforts and training for the students to ensure that they become agents of advocacy on the well-being of both animals and humans”, adding that
“this is necessary because of the prevalence of TB, which is preventable”.

Also speaking, Dr Shukura Ghali, the Veterinarian in charge of Dr Olusola Saraki Abattoir in Ilorin, said that they normally carry out post mortem on slaughtered animals so as to ensure healthy animals in the abattoir.

In his reaction, Mr Lam Razaq, the Apala (Chief Butcher) of Olusola Saraki Abbatoir, commended the students for the initiative.

 

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