Risk factors for the occurrence and spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in Kano, Nigeria

Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 occurred previously for three consecutive years, 2006, 2007 and 2008 in Kano State, Nigeria, causing heavy economic losses to farmers and the government. It was against this background that risk factors for the occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 among commercial poultry farms in the State were evaluated. A total of 64 farms comprising 32 affected (AF) and 32 non-affected (NAF) farms were enrolled for this study. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the selected farms through interviews with farm owners or farm managers during on-site visits. Information on flock profile including farm characteristics and environment, husbandry practices, biosecurity practices, farm trade practices and employee activities were obtained and analyzed. Pearson Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Values of p< 0.05 were considered significant. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to measure the strength and statistical significance of associations between the variables and occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in the State. The most significant risk factors were the presence of untreated surface water on farms (OR 18.6, 95%CI 2.24 – 154.34, p = 0.001), exchange of egg crates between traders and farmers (OR 12.1, 95%CI 1.43 – 102.61, p = 0.006), allowing egg crates of traders into poultry pens (OR 11.67, 95%CI 2.37 – 57.86, p = 0.001) and allowing rodents/wild birds access to poultry feed (OR 3.65, 95%CI 0.23 – 1.87, p = 0.024). It was recommended that veterinary inspection to enforce and encourage best biosecurity practices for the poultry farms should be introduced and sustained

Review of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in poultry in Zaria, Nigeria

All the confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza cases that were diagnosed in Zaria at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, were reviewed in this study. The outbreaks occurred between the months of December, 2006 and March, 2007. The clinical signs and postmortem lesions were similar to those observed in avian influenza outbreaks elsewhere. It was observed that the cold windy harmattan condition, the addition of new birds into an already existing flock, the low compensation rate paid to farmers; and poor biosecurity measures on the affected farms might have contributed to the spread of the disease in Zaria and environs

Retrospective studies on pullorum disease in chickens in Zaria, Nigeria

A twelve-year study (January, 1995 - December, 2006) of case reports on Pullorum disease (PD) and other poultry diseases diagnosed at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Zaria, was conducted. A total of 3, 265 outbreaks were documented with 173 (5.3%) of the outbreaks diagnosed as PD. The annual increase in the number of PD outbreaks implied a decline in the hygienic standards of hatcheries where the first cycle of transmission should be broken. It was observed that chickens raised between June and August, layers and broilers, chicks under 4 weeks of age, and chickens raised under intensive system of management were at greatest risk of suffering from PD outbreaks. It is imperative that regular blood testing of parent stocks for S. Pullorum infections be conducted routinely to eliminate carriers. There is also the need for poultry farmers to institute and intensify biosecurity measures on their farms to minimize horizontal transmission of PD

Recurrent fowl typhoid: Case reports

No Abstract

Disinfectant effects of Purit®, Z-Germicide® and Carcil® on bacterial isolates from hatcheries in Kaduna state, Nigeria

Hatcheries in Kaduna State, Nigeria were investigated for isolation of aerobic bacteria. The following were isolated: Escherichia coli, Proteus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp and Micrococcus sp. On these isolates, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and kill-time of two commonly used and one relatively new disinfectant were determined. The two commonly used disinfectants were Purit® (chlorhexidine gluconate Bp 0.3 % w/v and cetrimide Bp 3.0 % w/v) and Z-germicide® (7 % tar acid phenol and 2 % cresol). The new one was Carcil® (Alkyl-benzyl-dimethyl ammonium chloride). It was observed that Purit® was most effective against E.coli since it required the lowest concentration of 0.00026 % for 1 minute to kill the bacteria. Z-germicide® was found to be effective at 0.00063 % for 5 minutes and Carcil® required 0.0031 % for 10 seconds. Purit® was also found to be the most effective of the three disinfectants on Pseudomonas sp but Z-germicide® showed best results on Proteus sp

Outbreak of aspergillosis in a flock of geese in Zaria, Nigeria

A goose from a flock of twenty five geese, with history of gaping, sternal recumbency, greenish watery diarrhea and inappetence was presented to the Avian and Poultry Health Unit of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Ruffled feathers, drooping of the wings, rales, greenish vent and clear greenish diarrhea were observed on physical examination. At necropsy, congested carcass, enlarged and congested liver and spleen, severely hemorrhagic, mucoid and congested trachea, severely congested lungs with multiple and diffused nodular growth all over the lungs were observed. There was a velvety greenish area in the lungs with black spots at the center and nodular growths on the intercostal muscles. Microscopically, the portions of lungs with nodules were composed of necrotic center with intralesional hyphae and conidia typical of Aspergillus spp., a peripheral inflammatory cell response composed of mononuclear cells infiltration and obliteration of alveolar cells. The mycologic culture allowed the isolation and identification of Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) from lung samples. The gross and microscopic lesions, in combination with the mycologic identification, provided the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis due to A. flavus infection. CuSO4 at 1 g per 5 liters of drinking water was used for a period of 7 days with no signs of the infection.Keywords: Aspergillus spp., Geese, Gaping, Intralesional hyphae, Zari

Serum protein levels in local and exotic adult chickens suffering from highly pathogenic Avian influenza

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Highly pathogenic avian influenza I water fowls in Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 55-5