A survey of organs/offal condemnations and foetal losses in slaughtered trade cattle at abattoirs in North-central Nigeria: major causes and associated economic implications

Retrospective and prospective surveys of slaughtered trade cattle at five major abattoirs in Northcentral Nigeria were conducted to investigate organs/offal condemnations, foetal losses and associated economic implications. Of the 2,114,475 trade cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs between 2011 and 2015, 10.6% (n=223,869) of them had some of their organs/offal condemned due to disease conditions. The highest frequently condemned organ/offal was liver (33%), followed by intestine (31%), and the least was heart (1%). Of the condemned livers, fasciolosis (1.88%) was the leading cause, followed by hydatidosis (0.67%) and cysticercosis (0.56%). Pneumonia accounted for 0.89% of the condemned lungs, followed by cysticercosis (0.59%). Hydronephrosis (0.16%) and cysticercosis (0.12%) were the main causes of kidneys condemnations. Hydatidosis was the highest (0.03%) cause of heart condemnation. Pimply gut (1.06%) was the main cause of condemnation of intestines, followed by enteritis (0.59%). However, 4.6% (n=52,234) of the slaughtered trade cows were pregnant. There was significant (p<0.001) influence of seasons on organs/ offal condemnations and foetal losses. Organs/offal were more likely to be condemned in the early rainy season (OR 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.09) and early dry season (OR 2.22; 95% CI: 2.19-2.25). Foetal losses were more likely to occurred in the late rainy season (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.17-1.23) and early dry season (OR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.15-1.22). Total estimated economic loss due to condemned organs/offal was 5,467,126.40 USD and foetal loss was estimated at 8,789,630.10 USD. The present survey revealed relative burdens of organs/ offal condemnations and foetal losses in Nigeria with seasonal influence. These represent significant loss of protein to human population and revenue to livestock industry, with overall consequences on national food security. Occurrence of zoonotic diseases is of great public health concern. Strict enforcement of meat inspection legislations, especially at ante-mortem examinations, with good standard operating procedure is recommended.Keywords: Abattoir, economic loss, foetal loss, organs/offal condemnation, surveillance, Nigeri

Participatory survey of Rift Valley fever in nomadic pastoral communities of North-central Nigeria: The associated risk pathways and factors.

BACKGROUND:Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging neglected mosquito-borne viral zoonotic disease of domestic animals and humans, with potential for global expansion. The objectives of this study were: to assess perceived relative burden and seasonality of RVF in nomadic cattle herds and validate the burden with sero-prevalence impact; and assess perceived risk factors associated with the disease and risk pathways for RVF virus in nomadic pastoral herds of North-central Nigeria using pastoralists' existing veterinary knowledge. METHODS:Participatory Epidemiology (PE) survey was conducted in Fulani nomadic pastoral communities domiciled in Niger State between January and December 2015. A cross-sectional sero-prevalence investigation was also carried out in nomadic pastoral cattle herds to validate outcomes of PE. A total of nine nomadic pastoral communities were purposively selected for qualitative impact assessment using Participatory Rural Appraisal tools, while 97 cattle randomly sampled from 15 purposively selected nomadic herds and had their sera analyzed using c-ELISA. Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance W statistics and OpenEpi 2.3.1 were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS:Mean proportional piles (relative burden) of RVF (Gabi-gabiF) was 8.3%, and nomads agreement on the burden was strong (W = 0.6855) and statistically significant (P<0.001). This was validated by 11.3% (11/97; 95% CI: 6.1-18.9) sero-positivity (quantitative impact). Mean matrix scores of prominent clinical signs associated with RVF were fever (3.1), anorexia (2.1), abortion (4.1), nasal discharge (3.3), neurological disorder (8.4), diarrhoea (3.2), and sudden death (4.4), with strong agreement (W = 0.6687) and statistically significant (p<0.001). Mean proportional piles of pastoralists' perceived risk factors identified to influenced RVF occurrence were: availability of mosquitoes (18 piles, 17.6%), high cattle density (16 piles, 15.9%) and high rainfall (12 piles, 12.2%). Agreement on the risk factors was strong (W = 0.8372) and statistically significant (p<0.01). Mean matrix scores for the Entry pathway of RVF virus into the nomadic pastoral herds were: presence of RVFV infected mosquitoes (tiny biting flies) (7.9), presence of infected cattle in herds (8.4), and contacts of herd with infected wild animals at grazing (10.1). Mean matrix scores for the Spread pathway of RVF virus in herds were bites of infected mosquitoes (5.1), contacts with infected aborted fetuses/fluids (7.8), and contaminated pasture with aborted fetuses/fluids (9.7). Agreement on risk pathways was strong (W = 0.6922) and statistically significant (p<0.03). Key informants scored RVF to occurred more in Damina or late rainy season (5.3), followed by Kaka or early dry season (3.3), with strong agreement (W = 0.8719) and statistically significant (P<0.01). This study highlighted the significant existing knowledge level about RVF contained in nomadic pastoralists. CONCLUSIONS:The use of PE approach is needful in active surveillance of livestock diseases in pastoral communities domiciled in highly remote areas. RVF surveillance system, control and prevention programmes that take the identified risk factors and pathways into consideration will be beneficial to the livestock industry in Nigeria, and indeed Africa. An 'OneHealth' approach is needed to improve efficiency of RVF research, surveillance, prevention and control systems, so as to assure food security and public health in developing countries

Survey on antimicrobial usage in local dairy cows in North-central Nigeria: Drivers for misuse and public health threats.

BACKGROUND:Antimicrobials are used as a measure to maintain good health and productivity of lactating cows. This study assessed pastoralists' knowledge and practices regarding AMU in lactating cows; and risk pathways for AMR dissemination from cow milk to humans. METHODS:Interview questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Fulani pastoral communities. Frequencies and proportions were used for descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regressions were used for analytic statistics at 95% confidence level. RESULTS:All recruited 384 pastoral households participated. About 11% of participants indicated antimicrobials misuse as when given at under-dose, while 58.9% had no knowledge of what antimicrobial misuse entailed. Most participants (51.6%) were unaware about effects of improper AMU. Most respondents (61.7%) reported self-prescription of antimicrobials used on cows. Also, 67.4% of respondents reported arbitrary applications of antimicrobials used in cows, while 15% used antimicrobials to increase milk yield. Frequently used antimicrobials were: tetracycline (98.7%), penicillin (96.6%), streptomycin (95.8%) and sulfonamides (95.3%). Consumption of raw milk and milk products (p = 0.010); contacts with contaminated udder (p = 0.002); and aerosols of discarded contaminated milk P = 0.001) were perceived risk pathways for spread of antimicrobial resistance from cow milk. Improper AMU (p<0.001), non-enforcement of regulating laws (p<0.001), weak financial status (p<0.001), and low education and expertise (p<0.001) influenced antimicrobials misuse in lactating cows. CONCLUSIONS:This study highlighted low levels of knowledge, risk perceptions and practices regarding AMU and AMR among survey pastoralists. This calls for education of the vulnerable populations on promotion of prudent AMU in lactating cows through 'One Health' approach, to assure food safety, food security, and public and environmental health

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 isolated from marketed raw cow milk in Kwara State, Nigeria

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common cause of poor milk microbial quality, often resulting from unhygienic milk handling. Here, a cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of E. coli O157 in raw cow milk sold in Kwara State. Raw cow milk (n = 1225) samples from 11 selected markets within the agro-ecological zones of Kwara State (known for vending milk) were collected across rainy (n = 548) and dry (n = 677) seasons. Isolation and identification of E. coli were done using standard procedures. The Polymerase Chain Reaction was utilized to detect E. coli O157 targeting 16S RNA and its virulence (eaeAO157) and toxigenic (Shiga-toxin 1 (stx1)) genes. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of E. coli O157 isolates was determined by multi-disc diffusion. The total prevalence of E. coli was 48.9% (n = 599), of which 2.3% (n = 28) were E. coli O157. The prevalence of E. coli was significantly higher during the dry (58.8%) than during the rainy (36.7%) season. Twenty-six E. coli O157 isolates possessed the eaeAO157 gene, while all the 28 isolates carried the stx1. E. coli O157 were susceptible to nitrofurantoin (50.0%) and ciprofloxacin (46.5%), but resistant to cefotaxime (96.4%), ampicillin (89.3%), gentamicin (89.3%) and chloramphenicol (71.4%). This study established the presence of E. coli O157 with virulence, toxigenic genes, and antimicrobial resistance in raw cow milk in Kwara State. Improved hygienic practices during milk handling are recommended

An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 resurgence has occurred in Nigerian domestic bird flocks with public health concern. This study assessed poultry farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and biosecurity and biosafety practices regarding H5N1 resurgence, explore risk pathways for viral dissemination and associated socio-cultural and economic drivers in poultry flocks in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected two poultry production systems, commercial intensive poultry production system and the backyard traditional free-range poultry production system. A One Health framework model was conceptualized to assess inter-links of biophysical, environmental, and sociocultural activities that interface to drive resurgence for better interventions. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. Of the 422 recruited poultry farmers, 98.6% (n = 416) participated. Majorities of smallholder commercial farmers (93.5%) and backyard poultry keepers (97.7%) engaged in intensive and extensive management, respectively. Identified significant zoonotic risk pathways for H5N1 virus spread were through consumption of undercooked poultry meat and products, and contacts with infected birds and contaminated fomites. Separation of sick birds from apparently healthy ones, frequent cleaning and disinfection of equipment and premises, movement control of birds to nearby water bodies, use of personal protective equipment, and movement control of persons and vehicles into the flock settlements were significantly practiced biosecurity measures. Presence of nearby water bodies (ponds) close to flock settlements (p < 0.001), frequent contact of wild and domestic birds (p < 0.001), cultural practice of bird exchange between flocks (p < 0.001), and wild waterfowls' seasonal migrations (p < 0.001) significantly influenced resurgence. Understanding determinants interactions in the ‘Conceptual One Health framework model’ is required for better intercontinental intervention against HPAI H5N1. Reform of socio-cultural and economic activities using One Health approach will not only assure food safety and food security, but also guarantee public and environmental health