Zoonotic diseases are on the rise, and Nigeria must act now to prevent another epidemic, says expert
As Nigeria continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and other recent outbreaks, experts are raising urgent concerns about the risk of zoonotic diseases – those that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
According to Dr. Stella Egbe, Senior Conservation Manager at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the country must invest in mass awareness campaigns to reduce public exposure to diseases linked to bushmeat handling and wildlife consumption.
“Zoonotic diseases are a public health time bomb,” Dr. Egbe said. “They are already here with us, and the only way to avoid future epidemics is to raise awareness.”
Understanding Zoonoses: From Forests to Families
Zoonotic diseases are caused by pathogens – bacteria, viruses, or parasites – that originate in animals and transfer to humans. Sometimes the contact is through handling or consumption of infected animals, especially bushmeat. Other times, transmission occurs through bodily secretions, bites, or shared environments.
“Animals often have built-in resistance to these pathogens,” Dr. Egbe explained. “But when humans are exposed, the effects can be devastating, ranging from mild illness to death.”
Examples abound: monkeypox, which has been transmitted from primates; Ebola, which has claimed thousands of lives in West Africa; and even COVID-19, widely believed to have emerged from wildlife-human contact. Other threats, such as SARS and avian flu, further highlight the global nature of the risk.
But the consequences go beyond the individual infection. Once a zoonotic disease achieves human-to-human transmission, it can evolve into a full-blown epidemic – or worse, a pandemic.
“Prevention is our best option,” Egbe insists. “And prevention begins with awareness.”
The Bushmeat Factor: A Cultural Practice with Global Risks
Bushmeat, wild animals hunted for consumption, has long been part of culinary and cultural practices in parts of Nigeria. But Dr. Egbe warns that the handling, processing, and sale of bushmeat, especially in open markets, poses serious risks.
“The pathogens are often present in the blood, saliva, or other secretions of the animals. If butchers and buyers are not protected, they are exposed,” she said.
While there are existing laws regulating the hunting of endangered species and protecting Nigeria’s forests and national parks, there is a glaring gap: no law currently links bushmeat consumption to public health risks like zoonotic disease transmission.
Dr. Egbe believes this is a dangerous oversight.
“We need a legal framework that addresses this link between illegal wildlife trade and the spread of disease. This is not just about conservation – it’s about protecting lives.”
Bridging the Legal and Institutional Gaps
Although international laws, such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), have been adopted locally, enforcement remains fragmented. Agencies like the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) play key roles in regulating trade and environmental compliance, but coordination between them is often weak.
“Institutions need to step up. NAFDAC, for example, could issue public health guidelines for wildlife trade. NESREA already has laws in place, but enforcement must be stronger,” she said.
Egbe also calls on law enforcement agencies – including the police and the Nigeria Customs Service – to intensify efforts against illegal wildlife markets and to treat zoonotic risks as a security concern.
“It’s not just about poaching or smuggling. It’s about preventing the next outbreak.”
A Cultural Shift: Keeping Wildlife in the Wild
At the heart of Egbe’s advocacy is a push for behavioral change. She urges Nigerians to reconsider not just their consumption habits, but their entire relationship with wild animals.
“Wild animals belong in protected areas, not in markets or dinner tables,” she said. “We need to reduce proximity and exposure. That’s how we break the transmission chain.”
She also warns against the casual exchange and contact that occur in open-air markets, often with no protective measures in place.
“If you must handle bushmeat, do so with caution. But ideally, we should be phasing out its consumption altogether – especially for species known to carry high zoonotic risk.”
A National Call to Action
Egbe’s message is clear: Nigeria must take proactive steps now to prevent future public health crises, which include creating public awareness campaigns about zoonotic diseases, strengthening wildlife enforcement, and promoting alternatives to bushmeat.
“Awareness is the strongest vaccine we have right now,” she said. “We’ve seen what pandemics can do. If we don’t want a repeat, we must act before it’s too late.”
By Ajibola Adedoye
This article (“Only awareness can stop the next pandemic – Conservationist warns”) was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State (via Wild Africa). The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State