Risk factors for the occurrence and spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in Kano, Nigeria

Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 occurred previously for three consecutive years, 2006, 2007 and 2008 in Kano State, Nigeria, causing heavy economic losses to farmers and the government. It was against this background that risk factors for the occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 among commercial poultry farms in the State were evaluated. A total of 64 farms comprising 32 affected (AF) and 32 non-affected (NAF) farms were enrolled for this study. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the selected farms through interviews with farm owners or farm managers during on-site visits. Information on flock profile including farm characteristics and environment, husbandry practices, biosecurity practices, farm trade practices and employee activities were obtained and analyzed. Pearson Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Values of p< 0.05 were considered significant. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to measure the strength and statistical significance of associations between the variables and occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in the State. The most significant risk factors were the presence of untreated surface water on farms (OR 18.6, 95%CI 2.24 – 154.34, p = 0.001), exchange of egg crates between traders and farmers (OR 12.1, 95%CI 1.43 – 102.61, p = 0.006), allowing egg crates of traders into poultry pens (OR 11.67, 95%CI 2.37 – 57.86, p = 0.001) and allowing rodents/wild birds access to poultry feed (OR 3.65, 95%CI 0.23 – 1.87, p = 0.024). It was recommended that veterinary inspection to enforce and encourage best biosecurity practices for the poultry farms should be introduced and sustained

Studies of some risk factors for re-introduction and spread of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in two states of Nigeria

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurred in Nigeria about seven years ago affecting a wide range of avian species and human. HPAI being a major emerging zoonosis and a devastating disease of birds occupies the topmost position in the World Organisation for Animal Health list A poultry diseases . It requires emergency responses to speedily detect and control outbreaks, avoid spread and prevent  future reoccurrence. Risk assessment links disease ecology with farmer's attitudes and practices in the agent-host environment relationship. As an example, a qualitative risk assessment was conducted on poultry farmer-risk practices for the introduction and spread of HPAI in two north eastern States of Nigeria. High risk based poultry management and marketing procedures, inadequate poultry housing were areas of major concern in these states. Future high risk of AI reintroduction and spread still existed, early detection enabling prompt implementation of control strategies where given undue attention. Recent global advances in AI control strategies could only be of value with early outbreak detection. Farmers must change attitudes towards adapting biosecurity measures, improvement in early detection skills would assist preparedness in the efforts to rapidly detect and act against future HPAI outbreak in Nigeria. Key words: Risk factors, avian influenza, spread, Nigeri

The role of neuraminidase in the pathogeniticy of New Castle Disease: a review

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (1) 2008: pp. 40-4

Whole blood coagulation time, haematocrit, haemoglobin and total protein of turkeys reared in Zaria, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the values of whole blood coagulation time (WBCT), haematocrit (HM), haemaglobin (HB) and total protein (TP) of one hundred and eighteen apparently healthy turkeys reared under an extensive management system in Zaria. The mean values for WBCT, HM, HB and TP were 1.12 ± 0.02 min, 31.31 ± 0.52%, 10.43 ± 0.17g% and 7.89 ± 0.14g/dl, respectively. The mean value of 1.14 ± 0.41 min for WBCT of the male turkey was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the mean value of 1.11 ± 0.04 min obtained from the female. Similarly, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the mean HM value of 32.12 ± 0.89 recorded for the male and the mean value of 30.60 ± 0.59 recorded for the female turkey. The correlation coefficient between age and WBCT was negative and significant (r = -0.235, P<0.05), while the correlation coefficient between WBCT and TP was negative and insignificant (r = -0.016, P>0.05). The relationship between WBCT and HM was also negative and insignificant (r = -0.073, P>0.05). On the other hand, the correlation coefficient between the HM and HB was positive and highly significant (r = 0.999, P<0.001). The results obtained in the present study provide baseline values for WBCT, HM, HB and TP in turkeys reared under an extensive management system in Zaria.Keywords: Haematocrit, Haemoglobin, Total protein, Turkey, Zaria

Influence of pulmonary lesions on some haemotological parameters of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northwestern Nigeria

Blood samples from external jugular vein of camels presented for slaughter at randomly selected slaughter houses in northwestern Nigeria were collected. This is to determine some haematological baseline data and to investigate the influence of pulmonary lesions on the blood parameters studied. Accordingly blood samples from 500 camels presented were collected and examined. Three hundred and twenty (320) camels sampled and examined showed one or more gross and microscopic pulmonary lesion(s) which include: acute pneumonia 232(46.4%), hydatid cyst 14(9.2%), pulmonary haemorrhage 3(0.6%), pulmonary abscess 13(2.6%) focal emphysema (12(2.4%) and pulmonary atelectasis 46(9.2%). while 180 camels sampled showed no detectable pulmonary lesion. There were relative increases in the PCV (p=0.422), RBC (p=0.411) and haemoglobin concentration (p=0.321) in camels with pulmonary lesions when compared to the values from camels with normal lungs. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The total WBC was significantly increased (p=0.011) in the camels that had lung lesions. Nevertheless, the differential white blood cell counts shows no statistical difference between the groups, except on the eosinophils count which were significantly higher (p=0.015) in camels with lung lesions. The calculated erythrocytes indices showed significantly higher MCH (p=0.02) and MCHC (p=0.048) in the camels with lung lesions (p<0.05), although the MCV was not significantly different between the groups. The total plasma protein was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.194). It was concluded that pneumonia or other lung lesions may have influence of the blood parameters observed in this environment.Keywords: Camel, Haematology, Lung lesion, Northwestern Nigeria

Retrospective analysis of Newcastle disease diagnosed at the poultry clinic of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild birds with devastating impact on poultry health and production. Many vaccines and vaccination schedules are in use in controlling the disease but prevention and control are still a problem. A ten-year retrospective study (2002-2011) of Newcastle disease and other poultry diseases diagnosed at the Poultry Clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ABUVTH), Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria was conducted. Out of 2,649 cases of poultry presented, 43.9% (1,164 cases) were confirmed as ND. The highest number of cases of the disease was in August followed by July and May. The cases of ND were observed to be higher in the rainy season (July to September), but it seems to be 1.43 times more likely to occur during pre-dry season (October to December). Most of the cases of ND were recorded in chickens and turkeys. Birds between the ages of 9 and 20 weeks were 2.01 times more likely to suffer from ND than younger birds. Most of the cases of ND were reported in birds that were vaccinated against ND than non-vaccinated ones. It was recommended that monitoring of Newcastle disease antibody titre should be intensified during rainy season and birds should be vaccinated against the disease as at when due.Keywords: Newcastle disease, Poultry, Seasonal distribution, Vaccine, Zari

The prevalence and gross pathologic lesions of ovine and caprine pneumonia caused by bacterial agent in Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract Available Ghana J. Sci, Vol.40 2000: 3-