Preliminary study of the epidemiology of ectoparasite infestation of goats and sheep in Makurdi, north central Nigeria

A total of 416 sheep and 624 goats under different management systems in Makurdi and its environs were examined for ectoparasite infestation for a period of 6 months, October, 2003 to March, 2004. Ninety one (21.9%) of the sheep and 149 (23.9%) of the goats were infested with various types of ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified, and the number of sheep infested were ticks, 37 (8.9%), fleas, 20 (4.8%), lice, 18 (4.3%) and mites, 16 (3.8%). For goats, these were, ticks, 47 (7.5%), fleas, 34 (5.4%), lice, 39 (6.3%) and mites 29 (4.6%). The commonest species of ticks encountered were, Rhipicephalus evertis and Amblyoma variegatum while that of mites were Psoroptes communis and Sarcoptes species. The genera of lice recovered were Linognathus species and Bovicola species. Ctenocephalidis felis was the only species of fleas observed. Sex, age or breed of goat was not a significant factor (P > 0.05) in the ectoparasite infestation. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was recorded in breed distribution of ectoparasite infestation in sheep with Yankassa being the most affected followed by West African dwarf. The level of infestation was highest in extensive (24%) and lowest in intensive (7.2%) systems of management. Routine and strategic control measures should be employed to improve the health of these ruminants in order to minimize the expected profit of production and reduce cases of vector-borne diseases in the animals and handlers

Mycobacterium Avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare Infections in Slaughtered Pigs in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria: An Emerging Zoonosis

Abstract: Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracelluare (Mycobacterium avium complex) infections in 462 randomly selected slaughtered pigs in Makurdi were determined over a period of 6 months to access the disease burden and potentials for human infection. Standard methods of acid-fast microscopy, culture and biochemical tests were used. Twelve (2.6%) of the 462 pigs slaughtered over a period of 6 months were infected with Mycobacterium avium/intracellulare (Mycobacterium avium complex). The infections were observed in all the months with an average monthly rate of 2.0%. Of the number infected, 7 (58.3%) were female and 5 (41.7%) were male with sex specific incidence rate of 3.3 and 2.0% respectively. Seventy-five percent of the infected were old while 25% were young ones with age group specific incidence rates of 5.5 and 1.0% respectively. Breed specific incidence rate of 5.9% for local breed was significantly (p<0.05) higher than 1.4% for exotic and cross breeds combined. One hundred and seventy three (37.4%) pigs from Makurdi and other parts of Benue State, were more affected than the 289 (62.6% ) from other parts of Nigeria with respective source specific rate of 6.2 and 2.4%. Respondents indicated that most of the pigs were reared by extensive and semi-intensive systems with very few on intensive systems. The chance of human infection via consumption of infected carcass or contaminated food and water is high. The need for urgent diagnosis and control of the infection is highlighted

Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Harvested Rain Water Stored in Excavated Tanks in Rural Communities of Ogbadibo Area, North Central Nigeria

Bacteriological quality of harvested rain surface water stored in randomly selected 49 cased and 77 uncased excavated tanks in Ogbadibo area was assessed during the dry season of January to March 2011. Multiple-tube fermentation technique and biochemical tests for identification of bacteria were used. Forty five (91.8%) of cased and 75 (97.4%) of the uncased reservoir water were positive for coliform and non-coliform bacteria, giving a total of 120 (95.2%) out of 126 sampled. Contamination of the reservoirs by bacteria was high throughout the communities, ranging from 94.1% in Orokam to 96.9% in Owukpa. The water quality was bad with most probable number (MPN) index ranging from 28 to above 278. The bacterial species identified and the number of affected tanks were Enterobacter species in 104 (82.5%), Klebsiella species 83 (65.9%), Proteus species 72 (57.1%), Citrobacter species 66 (52.4%), Escherichia coli 29 (23.6%), Salmonella species 15 (11.9%) and Shigella species 11 (8.9%). Every reservoir was contaminated with at least 3 species of the identified bacteria. There is urgent need for public health education, reservoir design for cased elevation and encasement, and stored water treatment to prevent outbreak of water borne diseases. Keywords: Coliform bacteria, tube-fermentation technique, contamination, biochemical test

House Rats, Rattus Rattus, as Reservoirs of Salmonellae in Gboko, North Central Nigeria: Implications for Human Health

The occurrence and carrier rate of Samonella in house rats at various sites in Gboko, North Central Nigeria was determined from October 2008 to June 2009. Cultural, biochemical and serological tests as modified were used for isolation and identification. A carrier rate of 8.7% was observed as 9 of the 104 sampled were salmonellae positive. Those caught from around waste dumps had significantly higher (p<0.05) carrier rate than rats from other locations. The distribution of the isolates in the 9 positive rats were mixed infection of S. enterica ser. Typhumurium and S. enterica ser. Enteritidis in 3 (33.3%), S. enterica ser.Newport and S. enterica ser.Weltevreden2 (22.9%), S. enterica ser.Typhimurium and S. enterica ser. Newport 1(11.1%), and S. enterica ser.Typhimurium only in 2 (22.2%) and S. enterica ser. Enteritidis only in 1(11.1%). Species specific carrier rates were however, S. enterica ser.Typhimurium (5.8%), S. enterica ser. Enteritides (3.8%), S. enterica ser. Newport (2.9%) and S. enterica ser.Weltevreden (1.9%) when the total sampled is considered. The potentials of human infection by these salmonellae via food borne intoxication are discussed.Keywords: House Rats, Salmonellae, Human Health, livestock, epidemiologyNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 371-37

Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Tuberculosis in humans and animals by Idom Tribe of North Central Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 25-3

Incidence and Economic Cost of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Nomadic Herds at the Jos Plateau, North Central Nigeria

Incidence and economic cost of cases of bovine trypanosomosis in nomadic herds at the Jos Plateau from 1997 to 2001 were determined. These were done using records kept at the Plateau State Ministry of Animal and Forest Resources headquarters at Jos, and the model described by Alonge et al. (1984). The incidence of clinical bovine trypanosomosis was 1.33% with a mortality rate of 21.7% the incidence data. The annual average mortality was 0.29%. The economic loss due to mortality and miscellaneous costs during the five-year period was 1.02 billion Naira, with an average annual lose of 204.1 million Naira. Proper, control program should be instituted immediately to curb the increasing incidence

Prevalence and Public Health Potentials of Mycobacterium bovis in Excretions of Slaughter Cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis in excretions of 255 randomly selected trade cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria, was determined from October 2003 to September 2004. The standard methods of acid-fast microscopy, culture, and biochemical tests were used. Mycobacterium bovis was present in 13 (5.1%) nasal secretions, 5 (2.0%) faeces and 2 (0.8%) urine samples. Generally, higher number of cattle were M. bovis positive during the dry season than in rainy season. Sex specific prevalence was significantly (

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in duck faeces around drinking water sources in Makurdi, north-central Nigeria

Faeces from one hundred and ninety-two ducks feeding around ten wells and six ponds in peri urban areas of Makurdi town, North-Central Nigeria were randomly sampled during the dry season period of October, 2004 to March, 2005. In total, one hundred and ninety-two samples were cultured for Campylobacter jejuni, followed by biochemical characterization of suspected Campylobacter isolates using standard methods. The overall incidence rate was 63.5%. Incidence rates were very high, 61.7% and 66.7% for faeces obtained from the ducks around wells and ponds respectively. The incidence rate was highest in the month of February, where 80.0% and 83.3% of the faeces samples were positive for wells and ponds, respectively, lowest (40%) in the month of October for wells and March for ponds (50%). Campylobacter jejuni infection in ducks was highly associated (P = 0.36%) with diarrhoea as Campylobacter was isolated from 76.7% of cases with diarrhoea. Water samples from 66.7% of the wells and 83.3% of the ponds were also Campylobacter positive. The presence of this pathogen in duck faeces and sources of drinking water pose a very serious public health problem. There is therefore a need to intensify public health education and protect the wells and ponds against contamination and pollution