Occupational Health Risks of Zoonotic Diseases Among Slaughterhouse Workers in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

This study evaluates the occupational health risks associated with zoonotic disease exposure among slaughterhouse workers in selected abattoirs in Plateau State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. Slaughterhouse workers in Nigeria are occupationally exposed to a range of zoonotic pathogens through handling of infected animal blood, organs, and faecal matter, yet formal risk assessments have rarely been conducted in the Nigerian context. Using a professional occupational health assessment design, structured health and exposure questionnaires were administered to 180 workers at three abattoirs in Jos, Shendam, and Wase local government areas. Blood samples were collected from 120 consenting workers and screened for brucellosis (Rose Bengal Plate Test), Q fever (ELISA), and leptospirosis (MAT) antibodies. Abattoir hygiene and biosafety compliance were assessed using a standardised inspection tool. Seroprevalence was 14.2 percent for brucellosis, 9.8 percent for Q fever, and 11.3 percent for leptospirosis. Compliance with personal protective equipment use was below 25 percent across all abattoirs. Workers involved in viscera inspection showed the highest seroprevalence for all three diseases. Educational level was inversely correlated with PPE compliance. The study recommends mandatory pre-employment and annual serological surveillance for slaughterhouse workers, subsidised PPE provision, and formal occupational health training programmes as priority interventions for Plateau State abattoirs. Keywords: zoonotic diseases, slaughterhouse workers, occupational health, Plateau State, brucellosis.