Ofua made the remarks during a virtual media engagement organised by Wild Africa to equip journalists, presenters and producers as Nigeria marked this year's World Zoonoses Day.
A wildlife veterinarian and conservation expert, Dr. Mark Ofua, has alleged that Nigerian authorities deliberately underreport fatalities from Lassa fever to protect the country's international image, warning that rampant bushmeat trade, wildlife trafficking and worsening insecurity have created conditions for another devastating zoonotic disease outbreak.
Ofua made the remarks during a virtual media engagement organised by Wild Africa to equip journalists, presenters and producers as Nigeria marked this year's World Zoonoses Day.
During the session attended by SaharaReporters, the conservation expert painted a troubling picture of Nigeria's preparedness against diseases transmitted between animals and humans, saying weak surveillance systems, environmental degradation, illegal wildlife trade and the occupation of forests by terrorists and armed groups have left the country highly vulnerable.
Speaking on the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, Ofua warned that more than 60 per cent of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals.
