World TB Day: UNILORIN Veterinary Students Take Campaign To Abattoirs

The students of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ilorin yesterday sensitised butchers in Ilorin, Kwara State on the dangers of selling meat infected by tuberculosis to the public for consumption.

The students organised the sensitisation programme at abattoirs in Ilorin as part of activities marking World TB Day 2024 themed, “Yes! We can end TB!”

The president of the Veterinary Students Association of the university, Hikma AbdulKareem explained that bovine TB is caused by the bacterium mycobacterium bovis.

“Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease of animals caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex,” she stated, adding that, “ it is a major zoonotic disease, and cattle are the main source of infection for humans.”

She added that it is very similar to the bacterium that usually causes human tuberculosis.

Dr Ajadi Abdullateef of the Department of Veterinary Pathology of the university said the programmme was part of the efforts and training for the students to ensure that they become agents of advocacy on the wellbeing of both animals and humans.

Dr Shukura Ghali, the veterinarian in charge of Dr Olusola Saraki Abbattoir, Akerebiata, Ilorin said that they normally carry out post mortem on slaughtered animals to ascertain their health status.