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

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 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

Mycobacterium bovis, but also M. africanum present in raw milk of pastoral cattle in north-central Nigeria.

Item does not contain fulltextUsing deletion typing technique, five mycobacteria isolated from unpasteurised milk samples from cows in north-central Nigeria were characterized as Mycobacterium bovis (n = 4) and M. africanum (n = 1). This report emphasizes that transmission between the animal and human reservoir is a serious threat in Nigeria.1 augustus 201