Prevalence and distribution of bovine tuberculosis among slaughtered cattle in Cross River State, Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) in slaughtered cattle (SC) is of immense zoonotic and economic importance worldwide. This study determined the  prevalence and distribution of TB among SC in three agricultural zones of Cross River State, Nigeria, using post mortem lesions, the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique (ZNST) and retrospective abattoir records. Out of the 1,852 SC surveyed from April, 2013 – March 2014, 4.10 % had TB-like lesions, out of which 86.8 % were positive when subjected to ZNST. Similarly, a 9 year retrospective survey (2001 – 2010) using abattoir records revealed 1.00 % prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in the State. The periodic prevalence of the  infection were: (2001– 2002) 1.0 %, (2003) 0.9 %, (2004 – 2005) 0.8 %, (2006 – 2007) 1.2 % and (2008 – 2010) 1.1 %. The survey revealed higher BTB prevalence in dry (6.09 %) than wet (2.15 %) season, in cows (6.20 %) than bulls (2.60 %), in older cattle >3 years (7.86 %) than younger ones ≤3 years (1.16 %), in White Fulani (4.52 %) than Red Bororo (3.95 %) and mixed breed (3.07 %). Similarly, higher rates of 1.26 % in dry than 0.77 % in wet season, 1.61 % in cows than 0.63 % in bulls, 1.27 % in cattle < 3 years than 0.65 % in those > 3 years were recorded in the retrospective study. BTB was prevalent in SC in the State and this portends significant health risk and economic  losses to the populace and necessitates a multi-sectorial One Health approach to its control. Keywords: Bovine tuberculosis, Cross River State, Prevalence, Slaughtered cattle, Zoonose