As the world celebrated World Zoonoses Day, This Day Live highlighted Wild Africa’s call for urgent and consistent action to reduce the risk of future pandemics by curbing the illegal bushmeat trade, expediting the passage of the new wildlife bill, and protecting natural habitats.
Zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, are infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
They include Ebola, Mpox (also known as Monkeypox), Lassa Fever, and COVID-19 — all of which have affected Nigeria in recent years.
According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, with 71.8% of these emerging from wildlife.
In Nigeria, the illegal bushmeat trade, particularly in endangered species like pangolins, bats, monkeys, and snakes, persists in open markets and on roadside stalls.
While bushmeat is considered a source of animal protein in remote communities, its increasing demand in urban areas, such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, is a cause for concern.
