Review of the Major Microbial Diseases Associated with High Mortality in Ruminants in Nigeria

Ruminants remain a major source of animal protein for tens of millions of Nigerians. With an estimated ruminant population of 18.4 million Cattle, 43.4 million Sheep, and 76 million goats, livestock production is one of the largest agricultural sub-sectors of the Nigerian economy, contributing more than one-third of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this, diseases of varying morbidity and mortality have plagued livestock and seasonally, threaten to wipe out specific animals in some areas in Nigeria. These outbreaks and epizootics are often unreported, unconfirmed, or poorly documented. Thus, this review provides information on the role of pathogenic microorganisms in ruminant mortality and production losses in Nigeria. A scoping review method was utilised to generate baseline data on ruminant diseases and interventions for the control and eradication of diseases of high mortality in ruminants in Nigeria. Overall, brucellosis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and foot and mouth Disease (FMD), were identified as the major ruminant diseases in Nigeria. Mortalities were mostly associated with CBPP and brucellosis in cattle. FMD constituted the other impediments of moderate to high morbidities and mortalities to ruminant production in Nigeria. The endemicity of these diseases is driven by poor herd health management systems, inadequate financial support from the government, animal movement, border porosity, poor surveillance activities, inadequate outbreak reporting mechanisms, animal identification and quarantining activities, insufficient number of vets and paravets working in the government and public services.