A Survey for Biting Flies in three Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of biting flies from Gashaka, Ibi and Karim Lamido Local Government Areas (LGA) of Taraba State between July and August, 2010 using biconical traps, and identify them using morphological characteristics. Of the 908 biting flies collected from the traps 37.9% (344/908) were Tabanus, 25.9% (235/908) were Haematopota, 24.5% (223/908) were Chrysops, and 11.7% (106/908) were Glossina. Based on the LGAs sampled, the distribution of the flies in Gashaka, Ibi, and Karim Lamido (K/Lamido) were 44.6% (419/908), 21.9% (199/908), and 33.5% (290/908) respectively (p<0.05). An infection rate of 1.89% (2/106) was observed among the tsetse flies trapped. Two species of tsetse flies were identified as Glossina palpalis representing 67.9% (72/106) and Glossina tachinoides 32.1% (34/106). In conclusion, Tabanids had the highest distribution while Glossina had the lowest distribution across the three (3) LGAs of the State.Keywords: Biconical traps, Biting Flies, Survey, Taraba State

Serological Survey of Antibodies against Brucella Organisms in One Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Herds in the Lake Chad Area of Borno State, North Eastern Nigeria

Sero-prevalence of brucellosis in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) was carried out in the Lake Chad area of Borno state. A total of two hundred and fifty four (254) sera samples collected from adult camels in herds located in the Lake Chad Area of Borno state, North easternNigeria, were tested using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and Microtitre Serum Agglutination Test (MSAT). Twenty four samples (9.4%) were positive by both RBPT and MSAT, out of which 10 (3.9%) and 14 (5.5%) were males andfemale respectively. There was no statistically significant association between sex and positive serological reaction (P>0.05

Field trial of Malaysian thermostable Newcastle disease vaccine in village chickens in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Village chickens in Kaduna State, Nigeria were vaccinated once with a Malaysian heat-resistant Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV4HR) given in feed. In all, 1605 chickens in 223 households covering 33 villages and 13 Local Government Areas were tagged and bled before vaccination and two weeks after vaccination. Antibodies to Newcastle disease virus were titrated by haemagglutination inhibition test and titres . 3(log2) were assumed to be protective. Presumed protective titres were recorded in 143 (8.9%) of chickens before vaccination and in 957 (65.5%) after vaccination. Recommendation is made for the widespread adoption of this technology

Tuberculosis in Humans and Cattle in Jigawa State, Nigeria: Risk Factors Analysis

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2008 to March 2009 to identify risk factors for BTB in cattle and humans in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 855 cattle belonging to 17 households were subjected to comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CITT) while interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtains information on the risk factors. Twenty-two (22) respondent (5%) amongst the families sampled had TB or clinical signs suggestive of TB, while 9 (2%) had reactor cattle in their herds; However, no statistically significant association (≥0.05) was observed between reactor cattle and human TB cases in the households. The habit of milk and meat consumption was found to be affected by occupation and location of the household residence. None of these risk factors (food consumption, living with livestock in the same house, and presence of BTB-positive cattle) were found to be statistically significant

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

Prevalence of Brucella Antibodies in Migratory Fulani Cattle Herds in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Brucellosis is a major cause of economic losses such as abortion, infertility, low conception rate and low survival rate of neonates in the livestock industry and zoonoses of great public health significance. The prevalence of Brucellaantibodies in migratory Fulani cattle in Kaduna State was determined using the Milk Ring Test (MRT), Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Microtitre Serum Agglutination Test (MSAT). This study determined the prevalence and thesources of transmission to local livestock populations and humans. A total of 2,799 serum and 2,149 milk samples from 93 Fulani cattle herds in 15 out of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state were tested; in addition to application of structured questionnaire on the herdsmen. The prevalence rates obtained were 1.4%, 7.1% and 1.0% for MRT, RBPT and MSAT respectively. A control programme involving improved management, animalmovement restrictions and public health education is suggested

Comparison Of The Cost Of Unvaccinated And Oral Vaccinated Local Chickens With A Malaysian Thermostable Newcastle Disease Vaccine (Ndv4hr) In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Summary The cost of oral vaccination of local chickens with a Malaysian thermostable ND vaccine, NDV4HR, in poultry feed in 223 selected households, 33 villages in 13 local government areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria was analysed. The estimated cost of controlling ND by oral vaccination of 4,068 local chickens in feed with a Malaysian NDV4HR vaccine amounted to N96, 758.00(US$744.29) and the total benefit of controlling ND with the vaccine amounted to N577, 356.00(US$4441.30). The value of local chickens that survived the infection of ND virus without vaccination amounted to N288554.00 (US$2219.65). An incremental total benefit of N192,044.00(US$ 1477.26) was recorded in the study due to the vaccination of the local chickens. The benefit-cost ratio of oral vaccination of local chickens with NDV4HR is 2.0. It is therefore more profitable to vaccinate local chickens than to allow ND to run its course in an unvaccinated local chickens flock. Based on the value of benefit-cost ratio obtained in this study, oral vaccination with NDV4HR vaccine could be a more cost-effective and most reliable means of controlling ND, compared with the effects of the disease in no vaccination situation. Recommendation is made for further studies to determine how often and at what intervals the vaccine can be administered and the benefits of additional vaccinations. Key words: Benefit-cost, Oral vaccination, Newcastle disease, Thermostable vaccine, Local chickens Comparaison Du Cout Des Poulets Locaux Non-Vaccines Et Des Poulets Locaux Vaccines Par Voie Orale Avec Un Vaccin Malaisien Thermostable (Ndv4hr) Contre La Maladie De Newcastle Dans L\'etat De Kaduna Au Nigeria Rsum On a tudi le cot de la vaccination par voie orale des poulets locaux avec un vaccin malaisien thermostable, NDV4HR, que l\'on met dans les aliments pour volaille, dans 223 mnages slectionns, rpartis dans 33 villages et 13 domaines publics de l\'Etat de Kaduna au Nigeria. Le cot estimatif de la lutte contre la maladie de Newcastle (MN) avec la vaccination par voie orale de 4.068 poulets locaux en termes d\'aliments, avec le vaccin malaisien NDV4HR, s\'levait 96.758 N (744,29 $EU) et le profit total tir de la lutte contre la MN avec le vaccin tait de 577.356 N (4.441,30$ EU). La valeur des poulets locaux qui ont survcu l\'infection du virus de MN sans vaccination se chiffrait 288.554 N (2.219,65 $EU). Un profit supplmentaire total de 192.044 N (1.477,26$ EU) a t enregistr dans l\'tude cause de la vaccination des poulets locaux. Le rapport cots/avantages de la vaccination par voie orale des poulets locaux avec NDV4HR est de 2. Il est, par consquent plus rentable de vacciner les poulets locaux que de laisser la MN svir une bande de poulets locaux non-vaccins. Sur la base de la valeur du rapport cots/avantages releve dans cette tude, la vaccination par voie orale avec le vaccin NDV4HR pourrait tre un moyen plus rentable et plus fiable de lutter contre la MN, par rapport aux effets de la maladie dans les cas de non-vaccination. Il est recommand de mener des tudes plus pousses afin de dterminer la frquence et les intervalles auxquels il faudrait administrer le vaccin, ainsi que les avantages que l\'on pourrait tirer des autres vaccinations. Mots-cls : Avantages/cots, vaccination par voie orale, maladie de Newcastle, vaccin thermostable, poulets locaux Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. Vol. 53 (3) 2005: 203-21

Determination of risk factors and level of awareness of caprine brucellosis amongst goat owners in Ojulga, Benue state, Nigeria.

In Oju, goats are the major livestock kept and there is a well established goat market held every five days. This study was aimed at determining the risk factors associated with caprine brucellosis and assessing level of awareness amongst goat owners in Oju Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire sought information on biodata of goat owners, goat data, health indicators and risk factors for both goats and goat owners. The management system and ways of handling the animals posed risks to the goats, owners and other handlers. This study established risk factors such as lack of vaccination, introduction of newly purchased goats into the herd without isolation or examination by a professional, semi-intensive system of management, improper disposal of after-birth materials, lack of use of protective clothing when handling goats and lack of washing and disinfection of pens. The fact that none of the goat owners could recognize brucellosis as a disease affecting their goats and did not vaccinate against the disease shows their unawareness of the disease and as a zoonosis. An awareness campaign on brucellosis should be carried out in Oju LGA and Benue State in general to enlighten them on this important zoonosis.Keywords: Risk factors, awareness, questionnaire, caprine brucellosis, Oju LGA, zoonosi

Helminthosis among primary school children in Lere local government area Kaduna State, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 21(1) 2000: 109-11

Quantification of total soluble protein concentration in aeromonaspecies by spectrophotometric methods

No Abstract