Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle Herds and Its Zoonotic Implications in Plateau State

This study estimates the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle herds in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, identifies risk factors associated with herd-level infection, and assesses the zoonotic transmission risk to human populations in contact with infected animals and their products. Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a major animal and zoonotic disease of One Health concern in Nigeria, where shared environments between cattle and humans create transmission pathways through unpasteurised milk, raw meat consumption, and respiratory exposure. Plateau State's mixed farming and pastoral systems create complex human-cattle interfaces relevant to BTB transmission risk. This study conducts single intradermal comparative tuberculin test on 1,200 cattle from 80 herds in Shendam, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi local government areas. Herd-level and animal-level risk factors including herd size, management system, contact with wildlife, and previous BTB history are assessed through farmer interviews. Abattoir survey of condemned organs at Jos central abattoir supplements field data. A questionnaire survey assesses unpasteurised milk consumption practices and BTB knowledge among 150 farm households. Findings reveal an apparent animal-level prevalence of 6.8 percent and herd-level prevalence of 38 percent using SICCT. Herd size above 50 cattle and contact with wildlife are significant positive risk factors. Eighty-two percent of sampled households consume unpasteurised milk regularly, representing significant zoonotic exposure. The study recommends a targeted BTB control programme in high-prevalence Plateau State herds and public health education on safe milk consumption.

Keywords: bovine tuberculosis, prevalence, zoonosis, Plateau State, Mycobacterium bovis.