Detection of Newcastle Disease antibodies amongst local chicken slaughtered in live bird markets in Kaduna, Nigeria

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) constitutes a major constraint to the poultry production system in Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of NDV antibodies in local chickens (Gallus domesticus) slaughtered in five different live bird markets (LBMs) in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. Three hundred blood samples were collected and screened for antibodies against NDV using Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI). An overall seroprevalence rate of 23% (95%:CI18.5-28.0) was recorded in this study. Seroprevalence based on different LBMs revealed a higher prevalence of 28.3% (95% : Cl 18.0-40.7) in Sabo market, followed by Sokoto road market 26.7% (Cl:16.7-38.9), Kawo market 18.3% (95% Cl: 10.0-29.6), Railway market 13.3% (Cl:6.4-23.5), and the lowest prevalence was recorded in central market 11.7% (Cl:5.2-21.7). The difference in seroprevalence among the LBMs was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Higher seroprevalence of NDV antibodies in female birds 30.5 % (Cl: 24.1-37.6) was recorded compared to male 13.9% (Cl: 8.3-21.4). The study indicated that NDV is endemic in the population. LBMs location had no significant influence on the seroprevalence of NDV in the study area. The difference in seroprevalence between sexes was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study demonstrated the need for a regular strategic vaccination programme against NDV in local chickens in Kaduna metropolis

Sero-epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease in some border states of Nigeria

A serological survey was conducted between 2009 and 2011 in six Border States and two other states that lie on the major cattle trek routes in Nigeria with the objective of determining the seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle and demonstrate the evidence of antibodies in sheep, goats and pigs. Four hundred and forty-eight (448) sera were screened for FMD antibodies using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) including samples collected during suspected field outbreaks. Statistics was conducted by using the modified Wald method and two-by-two contingency table. Higher seroprevalence was recorded in cattle samples from Yobe State (82%), followed by those from Plateau (80%), Ogun (77.77%), Taraba (73.50%), Adamawa (68%), Borno (67%), Sokoto (63%) cattle and Bauchi (27.84%), is only in sheep and goat. None of the pig sera obtained from Kaduna was positive. There is no difference in seropositivity between cattle sampled at the border and those from the trek routes. The result confirmed that FMD is still an important cattle disease in Nigeria since the diagnostic procedure employed in this analysis only detect positive serum in FMD infected animals and no history of vaccination was declared for any of the surveyed animals. Based on these results, it will be important to determine the recently circulating virus strains and factors responsible for the widespread seropositivity in order to design appropriate control strategies to limit the effect of FMD particularly on the Nigerian cattle.http://www.academicjournals.org/AJMRab201

Geographic distribution of MERS coronavirus among dromedary camels, Africa

We found serologic evidence for the circulation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus among dromedary camels in Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. Circulation of the virus among dromedaries across broad areas of Africa may indicate that this disease is currently underdiagnosed in humans outside the Arabian Peninsula

Epizootiological Survey of Bovine Brucellosis in Nomadic Pastoral Camps in Niger State, Nigeria

Bovine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease of cattle caused by members of the genus Brucella. A cross sectional study was conducted in three nomadic pastoral camps to determine seroprevalence of the disease and assess herders’ exiting veterinary knowledge and traditional oral history about the disease, using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools respectively.  Sample size of 87 was obtained for quantitative analysis while six key informants were conveniently selected for qualitative information. The within-camp seropositive varied between 1 (3.45%) in Paiko pastoral camp to 4 (13.79%) each in Bobi grazing reserve and Eyagi pastoral camps. The overall seroprevalence was 10.35%. Results of existing veterinary knowledge and traditional oral history exercises indicate that bovine brucellosis has high impact in nomadic pastoral cattle camps with strong agreements of W= 0.787, P<0.05 among the six key informants. They called bovine brucellosis (Bakkale) and described it as a cattle disease characterized by standing hair coat, fever, loss of appetite, swollen joints, and abortion and transmitted by ingestion and contact. The high prevalence observed calls for urgent government intervention towards public health enlightenment of pastoral nomads on the zoonotic nature and danger of the disease. Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should initiate routine screening of pastoral nomads and their herds, especially those that are potential reservoirs and those at risk of exposure with consequent free treatment for animals and humans found positive.Keywords: Bovine brucellosis, seroprevalence, existing veterinary knowledge, pastoral camps

Detection of African horse sickness virus antibodies by ELISA in sera collected from unvaccinated horses in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

African horse sickness (AHS) is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and is recognized as one of the major life-threatening diseases of equids in some parts of the world. Several sporadic outbreaks of AHS have been reported in Nigeria in the past. Sera collected from 284 horses in seven stables in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, were tested for antibodies against AHS virus (AHSV) using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A high percentage of the sera (86.6%) were positive, indicating continual exposure of Nigerian horses to AHSV. Annual vaccination of horses and vector control to minimize incidence in the region is advocated

Seroprevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Infection in Some Wildlife and Cattle in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity with devastating consequence on the livestock worldwide. Despite the endemic nature of FMD in Nigeria, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease at the wildlife-livestock interface level. To address this gap, blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2015 from some wildlife and cattle, respectively, within and around the Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Wild animals were immobilized using a combination of etorphine hydrochloride (M99® Krüger-Med South Africa) at 0.5–2 mg/kg and azaperone (Stresnil®, Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa) at 0.1 mg/kg using a Dan-Inject® rifle (Dan-Inject APS, Sellerup Skovvej, Denmark) fitted with a 3 ml dart syringe and for reversal, naltrexone (Trexonil® Kruger-Med South Africa) at 1.5 mg IM was used, and cattle were restrained by the owners for blood collection. Harvested sera from blood were screened for presence of antibodies against the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) using the PrioCHECK® 3ABC NSP ELISA kit, and positive samples were serotyped using solid-phase competitive ELISA, (IZSLER Brescia, Italy). Out of the 353 sera collected from cattle and wildlife 197 (65.7%) and 13 (24.5%) (P<0.05), respectively, tested positive for antibodies to the highly conserved nonstructural 3ABC protein of FMDV by the FMDV-NS blocking ELISA. Classification of cattle into breed and sex showed that detectable antibodies to FMDV were higher (P<0.05) in White Fulani 157 (72.8%) than in Red Bororo 23 (39.7%) and Sokoto Gudali 17 (33.3%) breeds of cattle, whereas in females, detectable FMDV antibodies were higher (P<0.05) 150 (72.8%) than in males 47 (50.0%). In the wildlife species, antibodies to FMDV were detected in the waterbucks 2 (28.6%), elephant 1 (25.0%), wildebeests 4 (33.3%), and elands 6 (25.0%). Four serotypes of FMDV: O, A, SAT 1, and SAT 2 were detected from the 3ABC positive reactors in waterbucks, elephants, wildebeests, and elands. The results showed presence of antibodies to FMDV in some wildlife and cattle and suggested that wildlife could equally play an important role in the overall epidemiology of FMD in Nigeria. FMD surveillance system, control, and prevention program should be intensified in the study area

A retrospective study of viral skin diseases of cattle, sheep and goats in Plateau State, Nigeria

Viral skin diseases namely lumpy skin disease (LSD), bovine papilloma (BP), goat pox (GTP) and contagious ecthyma (CE) have been reported in Plateau State, but our search through literatures did not reveal any documented prevalence rates of these diseases. A retrospective study of LSD, BP, GTP and CE was carried out based on Jos abattoir (2005-2016) and laboratory records of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria (2010-2016). Based on the Jos Abattoir records, the prevalence rates were as follows LSD: 0.13% and BP 0.5% in Cattle. The prevalence of CE was 4.2%in sheep and 3.6% in goats. While LSD was diagnosed only in 2005, 2008 and 2016, BP was diagnosed every year except 2013, 2015 and 2016. Comparatively, CE was diagnosed in every year and month of the period reviewed. The analysis of records revealed that 11 samples were submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of LSD, 45.4% of which were positive by PCR. Additionally, 10 samples submitted for lab confirmation from suspected cases of GTP and 40% of the samples analyzed were positive by PCR. Of the 11 samples submitted for lab confirmation of CE, 36.4% of samples were confirmed to be CE by PCR. The laboratory results validate the Jos abattoir records which confirm that LSD, GTP and CE occur in Plateau State, Nigeria.Keywords: Abattoir, Plateau State, Prevalence, Retrospective, Viral skin disease

Serological detection of antibodies against Hepatitis E virus among Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic disease with increasing endemicity in many countries around the world. At the moment no data on the status of and epidemiology of HEV in camels an important livestock in the semi-arid and arid parts of Nigeria. This study determined HEV seroprevalence in two areas (with high population of camel in Nigeria) using indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Out of 88 camels sampled, HEV antibodies were detected in 27 suggesting a prevalence rate of 30.7%. Higher rates were observed among camels in Maigatari LGA (22.7%) compared with 7.9% in Suletankarkar LGA, Jigawa State. These findings reinforce the need for further studies on molecular characterization and evolutionary diversity in Camel as well as pastoralists in Nigeria

Factors associated with foot-and-mouth disease seroprevalence in small ruminants and identification of hot-spot areas in northern Nigeria.

Many small ruminants infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remain asymptomatic, with the capacity to promote silent viral spread within domestic and wildlife species. However, little is known about the epidemiological role played by small ruminants in FMD. In particular, there are few studies that examine FMD seroprevalence, spatial patterns and risk factors for exposure in small ruminants. A cross-sectional study was conducted in northern Nigeria (Bauchi, Kaduna, and Plateau States) to determine the true seroprevalence of FMD in backyard small ruminants, identify factors associated with FMD seroconversion at animal and household levels, and identify spatial patterns for FMD virus exposure. Data on animal (n = 1800) and household (n = 300) characteristics were collected using a standardised questionnaire. Sera samples from 1800 small ruminants were tested for antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMD virus. True seroprevalence was estimated stochastically to account for variability and uncertainty in the test sensitivity and specificity previously reported. Risk factors for FMD seropositivity were identified at animal and household levels and spatial patterns were determined. The overall true seroprevalence for FMD virus, in the small ruminant population tested, was estimated to be 10.2 % (95 % Credible Interval (CrI) 0.0-19.0), while State-level estimates were 17.3 % (95 % CrI 0.0-25.8) for Kaduna, 6.9 % (95% CrI 0.0-15.8) for Bauchi, and 3.6 % (95 % CrI 0.0-12.6) for Plateau. State and species were the main risk factors identified at animal level, with interaction detected between them. Compared to goats in Plateau, the odds of testing positive were higher for goats in Bauchi (Odds Ratio (OR)= 1.83, 95 % CI 1.13-2.97, p = 0.01) and Kaduna (OR=2.97, 95 % CI 1.89-4.67, p < 0.001), as well as for sheep in Plateau (OR=3.78, 95 % CI 2.08-6.87, p < 0.001), Bauchi (OR=1.61, 95 % CI 0.91-2.84, p = 0.10), and Kaduna (OR=3.11, 95 % CI 1.61-6.01, p = 0.001). Households located in Kaduna were more likely to have a higher number of seropositive SR compared to those in Plateau (Prevalence Ratio (PR)= 1.75, 95 % CI 1.30-2.36, p < 0.001), and households keeping sheep flocks were more likely to be seropositive (from 1 to 10 sheep: PR=1.39, 95 % CI 1.05-1.82, p = 0.02; more than 10 sheep: PR=1.55, 95 % CI 1.12-2.15, p = 0.008) compared to those that did not keep sheep. A hot-spot was detected in Kaduna, and a cold-spot in Plateau. These results reveal that small ruminants had been recently exposed to FMD virus with spatial heterogeneity across the study area