Expert says rearing animals in homes can be risky

A Public Health Expert in Bauchi, Dr Alkasim Ibrahim, has expressed concerned over the increase in the number of people rearing animals in their homes with little or no concern for public health.

Ibrahim, who specialized in veterinary medicine, stated this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

“Zoonotic disease is a disease that can be transferred from animals to humans and is caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These diseases are very common.

“Diseases such as Avian influenza, Brucellosis, Ringworm and Animal Influenza, among others,’’ he said.

According to him, such diseases are a threat to public health if not contained appropriately, can spread rapidly where animals and humans co-exist closely.

He said that apart from the issue of threat to personal health, some of the animals kept at home were not meant to be caged but were supposed to move freely, adding that restricting them was also a violation of animal welfare rights.

He therefore advocated for a change in the culture of rearing domestic animals in homes, especially where the spaces were tight.

Ibrahim reminded people of the needs to wash or sanitize their hands after coming in contact with animals.

He also called on members of the public to inculcate the habit of taking their animals to veterinary clinics as soon as they noticed unusual behaviour.