Disease Surveillance: Virologist Urges Shift From Human to Animals

Following the rise in zoonotic diseases, a Virologist, Dr Solomon Chollom, wants disease surveillance and remote monitoring to shift from human to animal hosts.

Chollom explained on Tuesday in Jos, that zoonotic diseases were diseases transmitted from animals to humans via contact.

He said such diseases could also occur when infected animals were used for food, or when a human ingested an infected animal’s waste.

The virologist noted that zoonotic diseases were rapidly making head way among re-emerging diseases globally, adding that it was pertinent to promptly address the issue and curtail rise.

Chollom also noted that surge in urbanisation, tourism, human exploration, as well as contact between animals and humans, were contributing to the rise in zoonotic diseases.

“For zoonotic diseases to be tackled, there should be continuous wild life surveillance for new and existing diseases.

“There is also the need to institute infection prevention and control measures in wildlife parks.

“There is need to also have laboratories with the capacity for disease diagnosis and genetic mapping for molecular mapping of genes of importance,’’ he said.

The virologist further called for the strengthening of research and vaccine production, as well as mapping of forest, game reserve and parks.