Dr Zainab Dambazau, DVM (Unimaid), MPH (Walden), MSc Inf. Dis. (LSHTM), FCVSN(Public Health), NFELTP

Email:theonehealthmessenger@gmail.com


In Nigeria, we face challenges every day, and our determination helps us move forward. Even small signs can warn us of danger. A hundred years ago, miners used canaries to detect danger. If the bird stopped singing, it meant trouble. This idea showed that animals can sense danger before humans do.

Animal biomarkers are signals found in animals' feathers, fur, blood, or behavior. These changes can warn us about diseases or environmental dangers early. Animals notice these things before we do. The question is: are we paying attention?

Let's look at the canary story. In the late 1800s, John Scott Haldane, a Scottish physiologist, suggested using canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. This idea saved many miners' lives. It taught us to listen to the quietest warnings.

In Japan's Minamata Bay, cats showed signs of mercury poisoning before people did. They ate contaminated fish and acted strangely. This was a warning that many ignored until it was too late. It became a major environmental disaster.

Animal sentinels are not just stories; they help us today.

In Poland, scientists use mussels in rivers. When the water is clean, mussels stay open. When toxins rise, they close, triggering an alert. This helps protect water for millions of people.

In Senegal, chickens help prevent disease outbreaks. Near Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, unvaccinated chickens are monitored. When they develop antibodies to West Nile virus, scientists know the virus is spreading through mosquitoes before it affects humans.

This is science, patience, and preparedness.

In Nigeria, we also use animal signals. In Bauchi State, researchers tested cattle and wildlife for Rift Valley fever. Over 11 percent of the cattle had antibodies, showing the virus was present before people noticed. This helps us act early and save lives.

So, what should we do with this knowledge? We need to listen, integrate, and act. Animal biomarkers are early warnings. Through the One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health, we can respond smarter and faster.

Sometimes, the quietest signals save the most lives.