Tuberculosis for a long time is a public health challenge in Nigeria. It is one communicable disease that has claimed lives and has continued to claim lives among humans. However for animals, there are revelations that bovine TB, a form of Tuberculosis found in cattle is becoming epidemic in the country among humans. This challenge pose not a little set back to the combined effort of the government and development partners to eradicate the disease in the country by 2030.

The cause of the increased miscarriages is therefore not farfetched. This could result from Q Fever. Also called query fever, Q Fever is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii most commonly found in cattle, sheep, and goats around the world. “Q Fever is a factor that can lead to miscarriages, especially when bacteria in an environment contaminated with secreta and excreta of infected animals are aerosolized. It can also be contacted by humans when there is any direct contact with infected animal,” Dr. Felicia Agbo explained to the ASLN Fellows.

Poultry business is a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy and source of meats and eggs for domestic and commercial purposes. A 2018 FAO report estimated over 180 million birds mostly in semi-intensive and intensive farms, and Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s recent report says they contribute approximately 25% to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP. This increasing economic importance of poultry farms, which could be said to be partially fuelled by antibiotic usage for health and weight gain, also leads to concomitant increase in poultry waste (litter) generated and disposed of into the environment. While antibiotic usage cannot be quantified without hard evidence, its effect can be tracked in poultry litter, as evident in Idi Ayunre town and its several adjoining communities.

In 2016, Rainey et al., conducted a systematic literature review about mass gathering-related respiratory disease outbreaks occurring in the United States from 2005 to 2014 and found outbreaks of infectious diseases following 72 mass gathering events. In another study by Shi et al., 2010, using a computer model, it was suggested that mass gatherings can increase the peak of a pandemic by 10%. In other words, we are likely to have 10% more cases with mass gatherings than without. A survey across some Bauchi towns showed that, except for few people who still wear their nose mask, many have dropped all Covid-19 protocols that were earlier enforced like hand washing, social distancing and other safety precautions.

Biologically, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited chronic blood disorder that results from a mutation in the β globin gene that makes haemoglobin, which responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells. In essence, it is a genetic condition that is present at birth, and it's inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes - one from each parent. Various types exist. However, the most common in these environs are "HbSS and other haemoglobinopathies which are HbCC and HbSC, HbDD. SCD is a serious public health concern, present mainly in tropical countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Many young people still don't know their genotype status (e.g., SS, AS, AA, CC, AC, CC). This makes them take the wrong decisions as far as marital life is concerned. SCD could be avoided if right education is made available, and decisions were made at the early stages of life.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) (2019), around 50 million people have dementia worldwide, with nearly 60% living in low- and middle-income countries. About 5-8% of the general population aged 60 and over is living with dementia. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases. Much of this increase is attributable to the rising numbers of people with dementia living in low- and middle-income countries. With Nigeria’s current population of 206,139,589, and forecast population of 401,315,000 by 2050, the population of people with dementia is expected to rise from the current estimate of 14 million to over 28 million.

A new online survey finds that graduates of biochemistry in Nigeria are unemployed with many saying they regret studying the course in university.

It is estimated that 75% of the world population, mostly in developing countries, does not have access to safe drinking water (Hannah and Max, 2019). Among the most pressing environmental problems facing developing countries include air, water and soil degradation. Of these, water pollution poses a serious challenge due to its impact on large economics activities.

The problem of industrial effluent pollution requires attention, especially in the case of Challawa industrial estate, Kano Nigeria. Industrial survey analysis confirmed that 60 industries discharged untreated effluents into the river, and only six surveyed industries (10%) had primary treatment plants ranging from oxidation tanks to sedimentation tanks in Challawa industrial area.

When one affirms “My health is in my hands”, there is an unannounced responsibility that translates to “My life and the lives of my neighbours and loved ones are in my hands.” This way, we rise to the challenge of protecting our world from the harmful unknown. There are more microbes on earth than there are humans. They can be found in our bodies, the soil, our foods, in the air, amongst many other places and surfaces you can imagine. In fact, it is said that there are a billion microorganisms in one teaspoon of soil.

As we battle with a second peak in COVID-19 cases, there is a strong need for young people to not relent in taking preventative measures, since they make up the majority of Nigeria’s productive force. Chidindu Mmadu-Okoli a freelance health writer and a Fellow of the African Science Literary Society, shares more on the chemistry that occurs each time we take responsibility and perform proper handwashing with soap and water.

The reoccurence of yellow fever in Bauchi and few other states is a thing of concern. The yellow fever vaccine has been around for some years. Immunization is now the most effective method of prevention of yellow fever, supplemented with prevention of mosquito bites. The Bauchi state government needs to, as soon as possible, carryout a yellow fever vaccination coverage assessment to know the vaccination needs of the population.

"There is also a need to expand the vaccination to include as many people as possible. This can only be done by building more laboratories to increase its testing capacity. However, there needs to be thorough sensitization of the public, because up till now, some people still see vaccination through the lens of ignorance and baseless myths.