SURVEY OF LEAD POISONING IN SMALL RUMINANTS AND DUCKS IN ANKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA
SURVEY OF LEAD POISONING IN SMALL RUMINANTS AND DUCKS IN ANKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2014-08
Authors
DALHATU, NABILAH.
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Abstract
Lead poisoning was reported in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Area of
Zamfara State in 2010 where over 400 children were reported dead. Based on the above
information, a study was carried out to demonstrate the occurrence and concentrations of
lead in the blood of animals in some affected villages, as well as increase the
understanding of the involvement of domestic animals in the outbreak of poisoning in
Anka Local Government Area. A total of 533 blood samples were collected from small
ruminants (515) and ducks (18) which were analysed for presence and levels of lead
using Lead Care II analyser. A structured questionnaire was also administered to one
member each of 90 households in Abare (24), Sunke (26), Dareta (19) and Bagegga (21)
to determine the relationship between species, location and management practices on
blood lead levels and determine which animal(s) could be used as early warning of
poisoning in humans in the study area. The questionnaire was also used to determine the
level of awareness of household members on lead poisoning in humans and animals. Soil
samples were evaluated for lead using Field-portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF)
machine. Levels of lead were assessed using the World Health Organisation classification
of lead poisoning as blood lead level above 5μg/dl and soil samples with greater than
400ppm of lead were considered as contaminated. Out of 296 goats and 219 sheep that
were sampled, 216 (71.9%) and 138 (63.0%) were poisoned respectively. Majority of the
ducks had high blood lead levels of greater than 65μg/dl. Goats proportionally had higher
levels compared to sheep. Ducks had the highest morbidity and mortality, followed by
sheep and goats. The pattern of poisoning in man and animals were similar. Only 20% of
the respondents could not link lead poisoning to the mining activity in the area and 91%
of the respondents live more than 1km away from the mining site. Bagegga had the
highest number of positive samples for blood (82.7%) and soil (80.8%) lead. In all, 52%
of soil samples taken from the households were contaminated. Lead poisoning was found in animals in all the communities of Anka LGA, associated with heavy soil contamination
which is related to the human cases of lead poisoning. Massive death of ducks due to high
levels of lead found in their blood and also that found in goats are good indicators of a
potential epidemic of lead poisoning in humans.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF A MASTERS DEGREE IN VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA
Keywords
SURVEY,, LEAD,, POISONING,, RUMINANTS,, DUCKS,, ZAMFARA,, NIGERIA.