The use of contraceptives for control of stray dog population and spread of rabies virus in Nigeria

Contraceptives are widely used in medical practice for birth control but dearth of information exists on the veterinary use for control of stray dog population in Nigeria. A closed-ended questionnaire survey of 309 dog owners and 333 dogs presented for veterinary care across three states of Nigeria was conducted; to assess the owners’ awareness on use of contraceptives in dogs, vaccination history and demographics of the dogs. Only 23.6 % of the dog owners have good knowledge of contraceptives, although 42.7 % of them were educated up to tertiary level. Of the 333 dog, 47.8 % and 44.1 % were kept as security dogs and pets respectively. Most dog keepers (56.3 %) were not aware that contraceptives can be used in dogs, while 31.0 % of those who are aware have not used any contraception method on their dogs. Reasons adduced for non-use of contraceptives were: unawareness that contraceptives are available for veterinary use (60.4 %), opposition to birth control methods due to religious or cultural belief (15.9 %) and lack of access to the veterinary service providers (4.2 %). Only 76.9 % of the dogs were validly vaccinated against rabies. Statistical association existed between educational levels and awareness/use of contraceptives in dogs. The findings underscore the need for public enlightenment and legislation on use of contraceptives in dogs kept for non-breeding purposes; as contraception is cardinal in control of proliferation of stray dogs, known to be major reservoirs of rabies virus in Nigeria. Keywords: Anti-rabies vaccination, Contraceptives, Dog owners, Rabies virus, Stray dog population, Nigeri

Brucella seropositivity in chicken and risk factors for Brucella infection at the animal-human interface in Anambra State, Nigeria

Aim: Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis devastating both animal and human populations in many parts of the world. A seroepidemiological study of avian Brucella infection was conducted to determine the disease prevalence, risk factors, and hence the role of chicken in the epidemiology of brucellosis in Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal plate test was used to test for Brucella antibody in sera samples collected from 410 chickens surveyed. The interview schedule was used to elicit information on the socioeconomic status, awareness of brucellosis and predisposing practices of poultry farmers, live bird sellers, and poultry carcass processors in the study area. Results: An overall seroprevalence of 3% was recorded. Sex (female), free-range management system, breed (indigenous breed), and mix farming were the determinants of avian brucellosis in the state. Risk factors that may enhance human Brucella infection at the animal-human interface are non-use of personal protective clothing; poor awareness on brucellosis and methods of the disease spread or control, cohabitation with animals, and eating while on duty. Conclusion: Chicken may be among the reservoirs of Brucella infection in Anambra State. There is an urgent need for an effective control program against brucellosis in the study area, using a coordinated One Health approach bearing in mind the public health and economic consequences of brucellosis

Reproductive and fertility parameters of pigs reared in Enugu State, Nigeria

Pigs are highly prolific but mismanagement practices can hamper their reproducibility. Consequently, reproductive and fertility  parameters of pigs reared in 86 randomly selected piggeries in Enugu State, Nigeria were studied using structured questionnaire. Farmers’ responses were validated from their farm records, where available. Majority of the farms stocked < 100 pigs (59.3 %). Intensive husbandry system (91.9 %) predominated in the piggeries. Open mating, hand breeding and artificial insemination were the breeding methods practiced in 52, 40.4 and 7.7 % of the farms respectively. Inter-farrowing intervals were five months and ≥ seven months in 11.6 and 18.6 % of the piggeries. The numbers of piglets born alive per sow per year were: < 5 piglets (14 %), 5 – 10 piglets (36 %), 11 – 15 piglets (24 %) and ≥ 15 piglets (26 %). Correspondingly, the numbers of piglets weaned per sow per year were: < 5 piglets (26 %), 5 – 10 piglets (40 %), 11 – 15 piglets (24 %) and ≥ 15 piglets (10 %). Only 2 % of the piggeries attained production target of  weaning ≥ 20 piglets per sow per year. Major causes of pre-weaning piglet mortalities were scouring (52.3 %) and maternal overlay(16.3 %). The findings suggest that prolificacy and productivity of pigs farmed in Enugu State is suboptimum. This warrants provision of veterinary extension services, training on modern pig production methods and genetic improvement of breeding stocks to boost the reproductive and fertility parameters and hence productivity in pig farming enterprises in the State. Keywords: Fertility indices, Inter-farrowing interval, Piglet mortality, Pig production, Reproductive parameter

Prevalence and distribution of bovine tuberculosis among slaughtered cattle in Cross River State, Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) in slaughtered cattle (SC) is of immense zoonotic and economic importance worldwide. This study determined the  prevalence and distribution of TB among SC in three agricultural zones of Cross River State, Nigeria, using post mortem lesions, the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique (ZNST) and retrospective abattoir records. Out of the 1,852 SC surveyed from April, 2013 – March 2014, 4.10 % had TB-like lesions, out of which 86.8 % were positive when subjected to ZNST. Similarly, a 9 year retrospective survey (2001 – 2010) using abattoir records revealed 1.00 % prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in the State. The periodic prevalence of the  infection were: (2001– 2002) 1.0 %, (2003) 0.9 %, (2004 – 2005) 0.8 %, (2006 – 2007) 1.2 % and (2008 – 2010) 1.1 %. The survey revealed higher BTB prevalence in dry (6.09 %) than wet (2.15 %) season, in cows (6.20 %) than bulls (2.60 %), in older cattle >3 years (7.86 %) than younger ones ≤3 years (1.16 %), in White Fulani (4.52 %) than Red Bororo (3.95 %) and mixed breed (3.07 %). Similarly, higher rates of 1.26 % in dry than 0.77 % in wet season, 1.61 % in cows than 0.63 % in bulls, 1.27 % in cattle < 3 years than 0.65 % in those > 3 years were recorded in the retrospective study. BTB was prevalent in SC in the State and this portends significant health risk and economic  losses to the populace and necessitates a multi-sectorial One Health approach to its control. Keywords: Bovine tuberculosis, Cross River State, Prevalence, Slaughtered cattle, Zoonose

Global epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 and lessons for effective control of this and future pandemics

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Prevalence, toxigenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus isolated from ready-to-eat meats

Aim: An epidemiological surveillance for Staphylococci contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) meats from Enugu State, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the prevalence, species distribution, toxigenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the organisms and hence the microbiological and toxicological safety of the meats. Materials and Methods: Isolation and phenotypic Staphylococcus detection were done according to standard microbiological methods. Phenotypic resistance to 17 commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined by disc diffusion method. Molecular characterization of the isolates to species level and detection of selected toxigenic and antimicrobial-resistance genes were done by PCR methods. Results: Twenty-four (9.4%) of the 255 meat samples investigated were contaminated with Staphylococcus species. Twenty-four Staphylococcus isolates belonging to six species of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) were identified. Four (16.7%) isolates harbored genes coding for exfoliative toxin-A. Ten (41.7%) isolates were multidrug resistant, while mecA, tetK, mphC, ermT and ermC were the antimicrobial-resistance genes detected in the isolates. Meat samples sourced from motor parks (16.7%) and open markets (8.5%) were the most contaminated. Conclusion: 9.4% of RTE meats sampled were contaminated with toxigenic and multidrug resistance CoNS. Beef was the most contaminated RTE meat type and harbored all the toxigenic and most of the antibiotic-resistant genes detected. Meat samples from motor parks had the highest staphylococcal contamination (16.7%), while those from mechanic village had the least (2.4%). Majority (79.2%) of the isolates were not susceptible to fusidic acid but none exhibited antimicrobial-resistance to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, linezolid or teicoplanin. Food safety authorities in the study area should work proactively to massively improve the hygienic practices of meat vendors; in order to limit staphylococcal contamination of RTE meats and the associated public health problems