Outbreak of Viscerotropic Velogenic form of Newcastle dis-ease in vaccinated six weeks old pullets

An outbreak of very virulent form of Newcastle disease in 6 week old pullets is reported. The flock was vac-cinated against Newcastle disease with Newcastle disease vaccine intra ocular at the hatchery and Newcastle disease vaccine Lasota at 4weeks of age at the farm. The signs noticed by the farm Manager were yellowish and greenish watery faeces, weakness and decrease in feed consumption. Response to treatment with Bioxin® (oxy tetracycline) was poor. The sick birds never recovered. The gross lesions observed were: Necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract (Payers patches), caecal tonsils and bursa of fabricius. The disease lasted for 11 days and the mortality rate was 99.7%. The high mortality rate suggested that the vaccine had failed to immunize the birds against Newcastle disease and the birds were highly susceptible and had been infected with a very pathogenic stain of Newcastle disease virus

A retrospective study on monthly disease reports from some area veterinary offices in Bauchi State, Nigeria

A retrospective study to determine the completeness and content of monthly disease reports (MDRs) from eight Area Veterinary Offices (AVOs) was conducted at the office of the Director Veterinary Services (DVS) Bauchi State, Nigeria. The result revealed submissions of MDRs made by all the AVOs at the office of the Director Veterinary Services were less than the expected 60 monthly disease reports. Among all the AVOs, Azare had the highest available report that reached 70% of the expected reports, while Shira presented the lowest available MDR of 10%. An observation on the content of MDR showed no uniformity in the format of disease reporting from all the AVOs. The content also showed a total of 1,251,886 cases which were broadly categorized into poultry (225,891) cases and 1,025,995 other livestock cases. There was a significant association in the reporting of livestock cases when compared to poultry cases (p <0001, Chi-square =138600) in all the AVOs. The result showed incompleteness in the availability of MDRs presented by AVOs in the office of DVS which is suggestive of underreporting. The results from this study tend to highlight the need to strengthen monthly disease reporting among AVOs in Bauchi State, Nigeria to enable the office of the Director of Veterinary Services to use the report for early prevention and control of prevailing animal diseases and notification of diseases at national and international level

Detection of avian influenza antibodies and antigens in poultry and some wild birds in Kogi state, Nigeria

The global spread of HPAI (H5N1) between 2005 and 2006 was blamed on movement of migratory wild birds and trade in live poultry across continents from infected regions. A survey was carried out to detect the presence of avian influenza (AI) antibodies in wild birds and AI viruses in poultry and wild birds from Kogi state, Nigeria. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect AI antibodies in some species of apparently healthy wild birds during the survey. Using HI test, the wild birds were negative for AI (H5) antibodies but ELISA detected AI (NP) antibodies in Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) with an overall seroprevalence of 4.5% and mean titre of 24.50±2.400 EU. Cloacal swabs from the same species of wild birds that were tested for antibodies and 710 oropharyngeal swabs from poultry were tested for AI viruses using RT-PCR with primers targeting the AI matrix proteins but were negative for AI viruses. The detection of AI (NP) antibodies in wild birds but failure to detect the viruses showed that the exposure might not be recent. We recommend that poultry should be prevented from contact with wild water birds and a broad based surveillance for AI viruses in poultry and wild birds should be carried out in Kogi state, Nigeria.Keywords: Avian influenza, Black stork, ELISA, HI, RT-PC

Assessment of biosecurity measures against Newcastle disease in commercial poultry farms in Benue state, Nigeria

Biosecurity is an integral part of any successful poultry production system. This study was conducted to assess the biosecurity practices in commercial poultry farms in four selected local government areas of Benue state, Nigeria. Twelve poultry farms were selected and assessed. The biosecurity practices in the poultry farms were assessed using a biosecurity checklist and structured questionnaires administered to commercial poultry farmers. Simple descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to summarize and present results. The results revealed that 83.3% (10/12) of the farms kept birds on deep litter, 16.7% (2/12) kept birds on both deep litter and in cages. Higher proportion 66.7% (8/12) of farmers operated backyard poultry farms. Results showed that 25% (3/12) of the farms also had free range poultry within poultry house premises and none (0/11) kept birds of different ages within the same pen but 41.7 % (5/12) of the farms had several flocks of different ages on the same farm. Only 50% (6/12) of the farms had foot dips in front of each pen. Some farms 41.7% (5/12) had abandoned materials near poultry houses while 33.3% (4/12) had dense vegetation around their poultry farms. About 50% (6/12) of farms reported that rodents/wild birds had access to feed stores. The main source of drinking water for the birds in most of the farms was well water (66.7%) and 36.4 % (4/11) have a dam or pond within farm premises. In most of the farms, workers had no specific clothes 75% (9/12) and foot wear (91.7%) for farm operations. The study revealed that poor management had the highest biosecurity risk score (60.4%) in the commercial poultry farms studied in Benue state. There is need for qualified professionals to train poultry farmers, managers and attendants on proper biosecurity practices.Keywords: Biosecurity, Benue state, commercial poultry farms, Newcastle diseas

Studies of some risk factors for re-introduction and spread of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in two states of Nigeria

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurred in Nigeria about seven years ago affecting a wide range of avian species and human. HPAI being a major emerging zoonosis and a devastating disease of birds occupies the topmost position in the World Organisation for Animal Health list A poultry diseases . It requires emergency responses to speedily detect and control outbreaks, avoid spread and prevent  future reoccurrence. Risk assessment links disease ecology with farmer's attitudes and practices in the agent-host environment relationship. As an example, a qualitative risk assessment was conducted on poultry farmer-risk practices for the introduction and spread of HPAI in two north eastern States of Nigeria. High risk based poultry management and marketing procedures, inadequate poultry housing were areas of major concern in these states. Future high risk of AI reintroduction and spread still existed, early detection enabling prompt implementation of control strategies where given undue attention. Recent global advances in AI control strategies could only be of value with early outbreak detection. Farmers must change attitudes towards adapting biosecurity measures, improvement in early detection skills would assist preparedness in the efforts to rapidly detect and act against future HPAI outbreak in Nigeria. Key words: Risk factors, avian influenza, spread, Nigeri

Knowledge of poultry diseases, biosecurity and husbandry practices among stakeholders in poultry production in Kogi State, Nigeria

Commercial poultry production is low in Kogi State even before the advent of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) outbreak in Nigeria. The low level of poultry production has persisted long after the socio -economic impacts of HPAI had improved. A study was conducted among 94 poultry stakeholders in the state with the use of questionnaire to assess their knowledge of poultry diseases, biosecurity and poultry husbandry practices in six Local Government Areas of Kogi State. The findings showed that 60.0% of poultry production was rural while the rest were backyard (semi commercial) poultry. About 64.7% of poultry kept were under extensive management with the commonest diseases seen under this management system being Newcastle disease (62.9%), Coccidiosis (52.3%), Fowl pox (46.9%), Gumboro disease (39.1%) and Fowl typhoid (36.1%). Biosecurity was poor as 92.9% of respondents did not have footbath or hand wash disinfection; 70% would throw away poultry litter in the refuse dump; 12% would use the poultry litter as manure while 11% would sell out the litter. In addition, 64.7% of the poultry farmers obtained their rearing stock from the live bird market and other unknown sources while only 35.3% obtained theirs from the hatchery. The findings of this study showed that the low level of commercial poultry production in Kogi State might be due to the impacts of diseases and poor husbandry practices undertaken by the farmers. It is recommended that government should train poultry farmers on biosecurity, disease prevention and the adoption of modern husbandry practices suitable for the traditional poultry production system

Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from birds affected by natural outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Nigeria

A study was undertaken to examine the isolation rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from birds affected by natural outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) that occurred in Nigeria between December, 2006 and July, 2007. A total of 100 birds from 114 commercial, backyard and free range flocks infected with H5N1 virus within the study period were sampled. A total of 600 tissues (heart, lung, spleen, liver, trachea and intestine), 100 each from the 100 birds were collected for bacteriology. Data generated was entered into Microsoft excel, while descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 12.01). Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from 9 (1.5%) samples. The organism was isolated from the liver, lungs and trachea of commercial layers and turkeys. During the HPAI outbreaks, Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from 9 different flocks with a total of 21,805 birds, mortality rate of (7.3%) and proportionate mortality rate of (2.5%). The bacterium was not isolated from H5N1 free flocks which served as control. The result of this study indicated that Klebsiella pneumoniae may have acted as a secondary pathogen to aggravate the clinical signs during H5N1 outbreaks that occurred in Nigeria

Salmonella Gallinarum Infection in Poultry Affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Nigeria

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease affecting almost all domestic and wild birds (Easterday et al., 1997; Alexander, 1999). The species of animals affected by avian influenza include birds, seal,whales, humans, horses and swine (Websters et al., 1992). Avian influenza virus belongs to the Family Orthomyxoviridae which include the genera influenza A, B and C. Avian influenza virus codes for 10 proteinsincluding haemagglutinin (H), neuraminidase (N), protein matrix, RNP among others (Alexander, 1999; Swayne, 2003). There are 16 H and 9 N subtypes (Fouchier et al., 2005). Avian influenza depresses thehost immune system thereby paving ways for opportunistic microbes to invade and exert an exacerbative effect resulting in high mortality in affected flocks (Aleksandr et al., 2004). Salmonella gallinarum isa Gram negative rod, non lactose fermenting organism of the Family Enterobacteriaceae. It is the etiologic agent of fowl typhoid which causes a serious threat to poultry industry particularly in tropical Latin America and many parts of Africa (Hall, 1977). The disease affects a variety of birds such as ducks, pheasants, quails, chickens, guinea fowls, turkeys and ostriches and it is a common problem in Nigeria (Oboegbulem et al., 1980). This study was aimed at isolating Salmonella gallinarum as well ashighlighting the possible complicating role of the organism in natural outbreaks of HPAI (H5N1) that occurred in Nigeria

Oral treatment of Eimeria tenella-infected broilers using aqueous extract of wild mushroom (Ganoderma sp): Effect on haematological parameters and histopathology lesions

In Nigeria, wild Ganoderma species of mushroom grows in abundance during the rainy season. Studies were conducted to evaluate the haematological parameters and the histopathology lesions in organs ofbroilers treated with aqueous extract of wild Ganoderma sp. Blood and organs were collected for haematology and histopathology, respectively. The haematological analysis showed a slight drop in packed cell volume (PCV) in the birds of group A (23.5% ± 0.7), B (28.0 % ± 2.8) and C (27.5 % ± 0.7) at 7 weeks of age, one week after infection with Eimeria tenella. The values of haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were within normal range in all the groups and seemed to bear no direct relationship to the treatment using either the wild mushroom or amprolium. The values showed considerable variations characterized by a wide range of normal values (Hb = 8.5 ± 0.0 - 14.9±1.52 g/dl; RBC = 1.9 ± 0.18 - 8.6 ± 0.78 x1012/L; WBC = 2.0 ± 0.92 - 8.5 ± 0.49 x109/L). Histopathology showed mild lymphocytic infiltration in the liver of the broilers. The lesions could not be linked to the use of mushroom or amprolium, as both treated and untreated birds had similar lesions in their organs. It was concluded that the mushroom has no deleterious or adverse effects on the organs of treated birds.Keywords: Medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, Eimeria tenella, haematological values, histopathology lesions, broiler

Vaccination with newcastle disease vaccines strain i2 and lasota in commercial and local chickens in Plateau State Nigeria

Vaccination trials and comparative immunogenicity study using Newcastle disease vaccine strain I2 (NDVI2) and NDV La Sota administered to commercial and local chickens through intraocular (i/o), intramuscular (i/m), drinking water (dw), untreated sorghum, parboiled sorghum, sorghum coated with gum Arabic or commercial chick mash feed as vaccine carriers was conducted. Newcastle disease vaccine strain I2 and NDV La Sota vaccines provided protection to commercial and local chickens vaccinated through i/o, i/m or dw. No significant difference (P.0.05) was observed in the antibody titre of commercial or local chickens vaccinated with either NDVI2 or NDV La Sota vaccines administered via commercial feed, parboiled sorghum, parboiled sorghum coated with gum Arabic and untreated sorghum. NDVI2 or NDV La Sota vaccines administered through commercial feed, parboiled sorghum, parboiled sorghum coated with gum Arabic and untreated sorghum gave no or limited protection (0-22%) to the birds when challenged with a local strain of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus Kudu 113 strain. It was concluded that the vaccine carriers used in this study were not suitable for delivery of NDVI2 or NDVS La Sota vaccines to local or commercial chickens