Rabies vaccination status among occupationally exposed humans in Nigeria

Rabies virus, a bullet-shaped enveloped negative sense single stranded RNA virus, often carries death sentence once clinical manifestations commenced in humans and animals. Pre- and post-exposure vaccinations against the virus have long been in existence to protect humans, especially occupationally exposed such as workers in rabies laboratories, veterinary hospitals and clinics, wildlife rehabilitation centers and animal shelters. The need to receive this vaccination especially rabies pre-exposure vaccination becomes more important in endemic countries in accordance with Advisory Committee on Immunization Practise (ACIP). This study surveyed rabies vaccination status of occupationally exposed humans in Nigeria. The reasons adduced for unvaccination were also reported. Structured questionnaire were administered to veterinarians during the annual conference of Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and the Continuous Education programme of Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) in 2016 while others were administered at some wildlife facilities and animal shelters in Nigeria. Data were entered into SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals were compared using univariate and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with vaccination status at α 0.05 level of significance. Out of 250 questionnaires administered to veterinarians, wildlife managers and dog breeders (Group A) and 120 questionnaires administered to workers in veterinary practice, animal shelter & zoo garden/wildlife parks (Group B), only 155 and 83 questionnaires respectively were eligible and complete for analysis. The result obtained showed that 61.3% (95/155) and 85.5% (71/ 83%) of Group A and Group B respectively had not received pre-exposure rabies vaccination. Results of univariate analyses showed that health insurance were significantly associated with vaccination status in Group A and B while age was significantly associated with vaccination status for Group A only. This study showed that large number of occupational exposed humans did not receive rabies pre-exposure vaccination despite their frequent exposure to rabies sources (both domesticated and wild animals). Various impeding factors such as unavailability of rabies vaccines in the hospital, cost of vaccination, inadequate knowledge about rabies and its vaccination among other factors were presented and these should be taken seriously by both government and non-governmental organizations to ensure safety of this group of people.Keywords: Rabies, Vaccination, Nigeria, Occupationally exposed human

Aflatoxin in commercial poultry feeds and clinico-pathological manifestation of aflaxoxicosis in poultry in Southwest, Nigeria

Aflatoxin remains the most studied mycotoxin with aflatoxin B1 making up 66 to 82% of total aflatoxin found in feed. In poultry, it can cause high production losses and vaccine failure resulting from its hepatocarcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive effects. This study aimed to determine the level of aflatoxin in commercial feed and feed ingredients (FFIs) use in poultry production in Southwest Nigeria. The study also tends to describe the clinico-pathological presentations of birds fed with aflatoxin-contaminated feed. A total of 142 commercial FFI (commercial feed, maize, cassava, wheat offal, soya cake etc) were collected randomly from poultry farms and feed mills in Southwest Nigeria. Total aflatoxin levels in FFI were measured using competitive ELISA. The study showed that 34 (23.9%), 24 (16.9%) and 67 (47.2%) of FFI had 21-60 μg/g, 61-100 μg/g and ≥ 101 μg/g of total aflatoxin levels respectively. These levels are above the maximum permissible limit (20 μg/g) as recommended by United State Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Most of the clinico-pathological findings such as decrease in egg production, friable liver, gastrointestinal mucosal erosion and fistulations were consistent with published reports on aflatoxicosis. History revealed that feed millers engaged in malpractices such as mixing of feed ingredients from different sources etc. The socioeconomic implications of aflatoxin in FFI are enormous, thus measures to reduce fungi contamination at every stage of production should be a collective effort. Our study showed that out of 10 FFIs, approximately 9 had >20 μg/g total aflatoxin. Therefore, studies aimed at prevention of fungal growth and mycotoxin production in FFI as well as mycotoxin absorption through the gastrointestinal wall should be strongly facilitated. Malpractices among feed millers should be abolished by concerned government agencies.Keywords: Mycotoxin, Aflatoxin, Aflatoxicosis, Feed, Ingredients, ELIS

Effectiveness of biosecurity measures in some selected farms in Kwara State, Nigeria

Biosecurity in poultry farm is a set of practices designed to prevent the entry and spread of infectious diseases into and from a poultry farm. It is one of the most economical and effective methods of disease prevention and control in the poultry industry. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to capture data on biosecurity practices observed by some registered poultry farms randomly selected in Kwara State from March 2016 to December 2016. Data generated under a focused group discussion covered information on farm environment and hygiene, risk factors, disease management, control and regulations. Epi Info software package version 6.04 was used for data analysis. The relationships between the dependent and independent variables were compared using the χ2 tests. A P-value of ˂0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference that biosecurity measure is of great relevance in the poultry industry. The study revealed that the management practices and hygiene methods employed in the farms investigated were not in tandem with standard biosecurity measures and practices (SD≤0.5), standard methods and their implication of non-compliance were also not well understood. We recommend ‘all-in and all-out’ management system of practice and further research on biosecurity measures for human and animal health and protection.Keywords: Biosecurity measures, poultry farms, Kwara Stat

Seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in indigenous chickens in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Newcastle disease (ND) is a disease of high economic importance to poultry farmers in Nigeria. Its impact on poultry include illness of poultry, reduction in egg production, immunosuppression, and death. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Newcastle disease in indigenous (local) chickens from 2 poultry abattoirs in the Ilorin metropolis. A total of 400 blood samples were aseptically collected in plain bottles from the jugular veins of local chickens at slaughter using exsanguination and transported to the laboratory in batches. Sera samples were harvested from the blood by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, after which they were stored at -20oC before serological assay. The sera were subjected to Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test to check for the presence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody following a standard procedure with titer values for each sample recorded. The geometric mean of the HI antibody titer (GMT) and the percentages of detectable NDV HI antibody titer were calculated using descriptive statistics. Of the 400 serum samples examined, 53 (13.25%) were positive for ND antibodies, with titre value ≥ 1:16. The location from which the birds were selected had no significant relationship with the prevalence of ND antibodies as both Oja tuntun (11.9%), and Ipata market (14.6%) had a closely similar prevalence of antibodies (p > 0.05). The feather arrangement of birds did not also have any significant impact on the prevalence of antibodies (p > 0.05). However, in this study, we observed a higher prevalence of antibodies among hens (14.7%) than in cocks (12.5%) or growers (8.9%). The high prevalence of ND antibodies in indigenous chickens in the study area showed the endemicity of the disease in the study areas. With most of the chickens are not vaccinated amid non-compliance to vaccine administration for local chickens. There is a need for poultry farmers in the study location to be educated on the importance of vaccinating poultry birds against ND

Microbiota of gills and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolates from Clarias gariepinus in different holding facilities

Gill is a key respiratory and excretory organ in fish as it provides oxygen need for survival and excretes waste products. However, gills can be infected with pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria leading to increasing fish morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to isolate, estimate and identify bacteria on the gills of Clarias gariepinus reared in different holding facilities. The susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were also studied using 10 antibiotics commonly used in pisciculture in Nigeria. A total of 84 bacteria belonging to 12 genera were isolated from the gills of 75 Clarias gariepinus. Gram-negative bacteria isolated included Salmonella species (3.6%), Pseudomonas species (7.1%), Aeromonas species (2.4%), Escherichia coli (13.1%), Proteus species (11.9%) Klebsiella species (3.6%), Citrobacter species (4.8%), and Shigella species (3.6%). Gram-positive Corynebacterium species (3.6 %), Staphylococcus species (20.3%), Bacillus species (19.0%) and Streptococcus species (7.1%) were also isolated. The result showed varying bacteria species when considering the different holding facilities. Greater than 50 % of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated were resistant to 5 and 6 different antibiotics respectively while greater than 80 % of all the bacteria were resistant to ≥ 3 antibiotics. The presence of these bacteria in fish predict subsequent impediment in pisciculture and may lead to socioeconomic losses, environmental contaminations and high public health risk. This study calls for concern and an urgent intervention on antibiotic stewardship among fish farmers. Keywords: Antibiotics resistance, Clarias gariepinus, Fish farms, Gills microbiota, Kaduna stat

Gastrointestinal parasites of horses (Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758) and risk factors associated with equine coccidiosis in Kwara and Niger States, Nigeria

About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Coccidiosis is an important disease of horses and it is responsible for a great economic setback worldwide. This study was designed to determine the species diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of horses and the risk factors associated with Eimeria infections in horses in Kwara and Niger States, North Central Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 105 horses in Kwara and Niger States. Simple floatation and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques were used as diagnostic techniques. An overall prevalence of 62.86% (66/105) was recorded. Eleven gastrointestinal parasites comprising of 7 nematodes, 2 trematodes, 1 protozoan and 1 cestode were detected. Strongylus spp. (33.33%; 35/105) and Eimeria spp. (28.57%; 30/105) were the most prevalent. Fortysix (43.81%) of the sampled population had multiple gastrointestinal parasites infection. Body condition score, presence/ absence of diarrhoea and horse ownership were significantly association with the occurrence of Eimeria infection. This appears to be the first report on gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria. The high prevalence reported in this study calls for horse owners to improve on the veterinary medical attention given to their horses as gastrointestinal parasitism is a major cause of economic loss in equine husbandry. The curtailing of gastrointestinal parasitism will improve production, reproduction and performance of horses in the study areas.Keywords: Eimeria spp.; Gastrointestinal parasites; Horses; North Central Nigeria; Risk factor

Knowledge and attitude towards Zoonoses among workers in selected zoological gardens in Nigeria

An exploratory questionnaire-based survey of zoological workers (n=152) was carried out from April  2016 to March 2017 in Ibadan (Oyo State), Ilorin (Kwara State) and Jos (Plateau State), Nigeria to  assess local knowledge and attitude towards zoonoses among zoological workers. A combination of  closed and open-ended questions, focused group discussions and ranking techniques were employed  to gather information on perceptions concerning the type of zoonotic diseases prevalent in the study  area, level of risk, mode of transmission and methods of preventing disease transmission from animals  to humans. The results revealed that 44.1% of the respondents had good level of awareness about  zoonoses. Rabies (99%), tuberculosis (41%), bird flu (47%) and Ebola virus disease (EVD) (44%)  were considered the four most common zoonotic diseases in the study area. Among the respondents,  42.1% and 57.2% perceived zoonoses are transmitted by direct contact and attending to sick animals  respectively. Constant hand washing was indicated by 45.4% of the respondents as the mode of  prevention of zoonoses in the study area. It is necessary that the Government provide the vaccination facility to all the zoological workers against the relevant zoonotic diseases. The level of awareness about the risks associated is needed to improve through proper education, training, and establishment of written infection control policies in the various zoological gardens in the country

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pig farmers post African swine fever outbreaks in Ogun and Oyo states of Nigeria

The experience during African swine fever (ASF) virus outbreak can be devastating. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practise among pig farmers to avoiding resurgence of ASF outbreaks in Oyo and Ogun States of Nigeria where ASF outbreaks had been earlier reported. Non participatory observations and participatory interviews using pre-tested structured questionnaire were conducted in 2016 among 92 consenting pig farms post-ASF outbreak. The study showed that one in two of pig farms studied had suffered from ASF outbreak before. Meanwhile, several bio-security breaches that facilitate ASF and other infectious agents spread were still maintained including ‘farm restocking with ASF survivor pigs’ (61.5%; 32/52), ‘boar lending among farms for breeding purposes without examination’ (54.3%; 50/92), ‘extensive system and semi-intensive pig management’ (21.7%; 20/92), ‘farm attendants sharing among pig farms’ (19.6%; 18/92), ‘farm equipment/ implements/ facilities sharing among farms’ (22.8%; 21/92), selling of pig carcass (9.8%; 9/92), ‘carcass disposal in the bush’ (19.6%; 18/92). In this study we found out that management and bio-security activities in the pig farms studied were still poor and could place them at high risk of infection and repeated disease outbreaks in the future. The study suggests that pig farmers had not learnt from the previous ASF outbreaks. Therefore, proper sensitization on ASF epidemiology, public health significance and socioeconomic impact should be carried out. This study calls for swift action to prevent future calamities in pig production facilities in the study areas. Keywords: African swine fever, Biosecurity, Nigeria, Outbreak, Sensitizatio

MANAGEMENT OF A CHRONIC NECROTIZING WOUND IN A DOG USING NATURAL HONEY THERAPY

Infected skin wounds are common in pet animals. Following an infected severe bite wound in a dog with marked necrotic aftermath, natural honey was successfully used alongside systemic antibiotic therapy to hasten healing. The condition improved with speed and regeneration of skin tissue, avoiding sloughing. The wound took 168 days to heal and to form a scar. Natural honey can be considered as a wound management tool, as it is both highly effective, can render a low cost therapy and less managemental expenditure compared to other specialized therapies and techniques