World Rabies Day: Efforts Towards Rabies Awareness in Zaria, Nigeria

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(2): 2011; 133 - 13

Rabies Vaccination and Immune Status of Owned Dogs in Zaria, Nigeria

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 204 - 20

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthes of Dogs That Have Been Disposed Off At Non-Descript Abattoirs in Zaria, Nigeria

Parasitological investigation of dogs disposed off in non-descript abattoirs was carried out in two communities (Basawa and Angwagodo) in Zaria. Intestines from seventy (70) adult dogs were collected, and standard procedures were followed to determine their parasite loads. A total of sixty-three dogs (90.00%) were positive for different species of helminthes. The helminthes recovered were Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp, Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis. D. caninum was present in thirty five dogs (50.00%), Taenia spp in twenty dogs (28.57%). Ancylostoma caninum in twenty five dogs (35.71%) and Toxocara canis in four dogs (5.71%). There were no statistically significant associations between the location of study and frequency of recovery of each helminthes (P>0.05). Toxocara canis was only detected at Angwagodo. The mean worm load by location was higher at Angwagodo (24.59+55.03) than Basawa (8.66+9.44). The sex of the dog had no significant effect on the recovery of each helminthes (P>0.05). However, female dogs had a higher worm load (22.14+57.41) than the male dogs (12.12+18.44). The result of this study suggests that about 90% of the dog population in Zaria may be contributing to the contamination of the environment with eggs of zoonotic helminthes. Key words: Intestinal helminthes, Dogs, Non-descript Abattoirs, Zaria

Molecular epidemiology of group A human rotaviruses in North West region, Cameroon

Background: Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children <5 years of age worldwide accounting for 527,000 deathsannually. Over 80% of these deaths occur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. RV vaccines have significantly reduced RV-associated morbidityand mortalities in several countries like the United States and Mexico while vaccine trials have proved efficacious in Ghana and other developingcountries. However, there is paucity of data on RV infection in Cameroon where diarrhea is a major childhood disease. Methods: A total of 534 stool specimens collected between January 2003 and December 2004 from children with acute gastroenteritis in five health districts in the NWR of Cameroon were screened for group A human rotavirus antigen by ELISA and their electropherotypes determined by Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Results: RV was detected in 153 (28.7%) diarrheic specimens with infection occurring throughout the year, being more commonin children under two years of age (P < 0.01) with the highest incidence in the 7-9 months age group (P <0.05). Sub clinical infections (9%)occurred mostly in children aged 0 - 6 months old (P<0.01). Source of drinking water was not associated with RV infection. Elevenelectropherotype patterns were detected with predominance of long electropherotypes (92.8%) and mixed electropherotypes were seen only inhospitalized children. Some isolates showed overlapping or merged genome segments 7 and 8 or 9 and presenting with 10 segments of the RV genome. Conclusion: RV is a significant cause of pediatric diarrhea in the NWR affecting mostly children under 2 years of age. Continuous RVsurveillance and nationwide surveys are recommended to improve the health of young children in Cameroon. More research is needed to fullycharacterize the isolated RV strains.Key words: Rotavirus, diarrhea, molecular epidemiology, electropherotype

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

EVALUATION OF DOG SLAUGHTER AND CONSUMPTION PRACTICES RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF RABIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The trade, slaughter and consumption of dog meats are some common attitudes and practices in subSaharan West African countries. These factors may represent a source of human rabies exposures and infections in the population of these countries and may be because of these only, still rabies remain endemic disease in Nigeria. Therefore, a survey was conducted during January, 2012 to July, 2012 for finding out the rational of dog meat consumption in Niger state, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty five volunteers (146 males and 9 females), consisting of dog butchers, consumers and those who leave around the slaughter points answered a questionnaire at five dog slaughter locations across the state. Information on the dogs slaughtered was also collected. The results revealed that 125 (80.6%) of the respondents consumed dog meat (4 females and 121 males). Only 12 (9.6%) were actually engaged in dog butchering who also identified that they purchased their dogs for slaughter from households within and outside their territories, not by personal breeding. None of the butchers were vaccinated against rabies. Regarding reasons for dog meat consumption, 80 (64%) respondents indicated that the meat was delicious, 23 (18.4%) claimed medicinal purposes, and 1 (0.8%) respondent believed that its consumption protected against the witches. Overall, 471 dogs were recorded to be slaughtered for human consumption during the study period. Despite their rational, the practices of dog trade, slaughter and consumption were detrimental to dogs as well as the control of rabies, particularly when evidence indicated that up to 28% of dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Nigeria may harbor the rabies virus. KEYWORDS Dog slaughter Dog consumption Rabies Nigeri

Applications of Laboratory Technology in the Evaluation of the Risk of Rabies Transmissions by Biting Dogs and Cats

While rabies is not a common disease in domestic animal species of the United States, potential exposures to rabies in the form of bites are very common and increasing. A nationwide study conducted among general hospitals shows that 1 percent of emergency room visits are for animal bites, of which 80-90 percent are inflicted by the dog (Callaham 1980). This figure is conservative, as the study did not include pediatric hospitals, the bite of victims that progress only to a physician\u27s office, or those that receive no medical care at all. In Missouri alone, this study would infer about 1500 dog bites per year reaching only the general hospital. The number of dog and other animal bites across the country is unknown but may safely be assumed to be staggering in magnitude

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

Serological Surveillance for Non-Rabies Lyssaviruses among Apparently Healthy Dogs in Zaria, Nigeria

Out of the seven recognized and four putative genotypes of lyssaviruses, genotypes 1-3 comprising namely the classical rabies virus (RABV), Lagos bat virus (LBV) and Mokola virus (MOKV) respectively have been reported in Nigeria. The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, is recognized as the reservoir for genotype 1, and the straw-colored fruit bat for genotype 2. The reservoir for genotype 3 remains unidentified. Serum samples were collected by convenient sampling from apparently healthy dogs inZaria and tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to three members of lyssavirus genotypes, namely LBV, MOKV , Duvenhage (DUVV), and a putative genotype, West Caucasian bat lyssavirus (WCBV) using a modification of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test(RFFIT). Out of the 189 samples tested, six (3.7%) of them neutralized Lagos bat virus, and two (1.1%) of these additionally showed a neutralizing activity against Mokola virus. There was no serological evidence of WCBV and DUVV. This finding suggests the presence ofphylogroup 2 lyssaviruses circulating among dogs in this location. This is important especially since human exposure to dog bite is common in this locality. The possibility of exposure to these genotypes will have greatimplication with regards to the usefulness of the available vaccines which do not sufficiently protect against members of phylogroup 2. It further emphasizes the poor understanding of the epidemiology of lyssavirusinfection, especially among apparently healthy dogs. This calls for enhanced surveillance for lyssaviruses among both domestic and wildlife species in Nigeria to identify the definitive reservoir for Mokola virus

Effect of sex and species on prevalence of cowdriosis in small ruminants at Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 59-6