Assessment of Perceptions and Preventive Health Behaviours of Bushmeat Handlers Regarding Mpox Infection in Wildlife Markets of Northern Nigeria: A One Health Perspective

Mpox is a transboundary zoonotic disease of humans and animals. About 88,600 confirmed mpox cases and 152 deaths were reported globally. We assessed bushmeat handlers’ zoonotic risk perceptions, preventive measures, and drivers of mpox resurgence in Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional study on purposively selected 438 bushmeat handlers in Nigerian bushmeat (wildlife) markets, from 2022–2023. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were conducted at 95% confidence level. Out of the 450 bushmeat handlers enlisted in this study, 438 (97.3%) participated. Majority (52.7%) were consumers, 20.3% hunters, and 26.9% vendors. Respondents significantly perceived handling bushmeat bodies to be of high zoonotic risk. Preventive health practices were significantly associated (P<0.05) with mpox outbreak. Furthermore, socio-cultural and economic drivers of contact with wildlife during hunting, contact with wildlife at markets, unsanitary market environment and exchange of animals between markets were significantly (P<0.05) associated with mpox infections. In this study, the drivers of mpox resurgence with propensity for global spread were identified. We advocate a “One Health” control strategy targeting wild lives, environment and humans especially, handlers of wild lives and bushmeat to combat the disease.