Peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR), a major small ruminant transboundary animal disease, is endemic in Nigeria. Strains of the causal agent, peste-des-petitsruminants virus (PPRV), have been differentiated into four genetically distinct lineages based on the partial sequence of the virus nucleoprotein (N) or fusion (F) genes. Peste-des-petits-ruminants virus strains that were identified initially in Africa were grouped into lineages I, II and III and viruses from Asia were classified as lineage IV and referred to as the Asian lineage. Many recent reports indicate that the Asian lineage is now also present in Africa. With this in mind, this study was conducted to reassess the epidemiology of PPRV in Nigeria. A total of 140 clinical samples from 16 sheep and 63 goats with symptoms suggestive of PPR were collected from different states of Nigeria during a four-year period (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013). They were analysed by the amplification of fragments of the N gene. Results for 33 (42%) animals were positive. The phylogenetic analysis of the N gene sequences with those available in GenBank showed that viruses that were detected belong to both lineage II and IV. Based on an analysis of the N gene sequences, the lineage IV isolates grouped into two clades, one being predominant in the north-eastern part of the country and the other found primarily in the southern regions of the country. This study reports the presence of PPRV Asian lineage IV in Nigeria for the first time.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry with huge economic consequences. First reported in Nigeria in 1973, the disease has since become endemic across the country. Inspite of routine vaccine administration, outbreaks are frequently reported in vaccinated flocks which questions the effectiveness of the vaccine to confer adequate protection against the circulating strains of the virus. In this study, suspected IBD outbreaks from 9 poultry farms spanning 2015-2016 were investigated. The hypervariable region (HVR) of the VP2 gene of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) from these outbreaks was sequenced. Based on the phylogenetic tree and deduced amino acid sequences, the viruses clustered with African very virulent (vv) types (VV2-1) with markers typical for vvIBDV at positions 222A, 242I, 256I, 294I and 299S. Also, unique substitutions were identified at the hydrophilic peak A (215Q→P) and minor peak 2 (280N→Y) in addition to that previously unreported at position 308I→L. These results demonstrate continuous circulation and mutations at the HVR of the VP2 which underscores the need for constant monitoring of IBDV in Nigerian poultry. Further study is required to establish the biological function(s) of these mutations on the pathogenicity and antigenicity of the virus.

After the onset of symptoms, the clinical course of rabies is almost invariably fatal. Rabies has traditionally been associated with dogs more than any other animal, and in parts of the world where domestic animal control and vaccination programs are limited, dogs remain the most important reservoir of the disease. We report a case of canine rabies in a vaccinated 9-month-old German shepherd female dog. The presenting clinical sign was jaw muscle paralysis with a hanging bronze color like tongue without salivation. Following encephalectomy, a rabies positive diagnosis was confirmed by fluorescent antibody technique at the Rabies Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. The epidemiology of the rabies case is not understood. This case is of public health significance because of the at-risk population including animal health care service provider and animals. The following were recommended, (a) a reinvigorated control measure that includes the awareness program on prevention, responsible dog ownership with dog registration at veterinary hospitals, and registered veterinary clinics by the government and (b) a yearly rabies vaccination campaign that must be improved through the veterinary public health and other health departments collaborating.

Investigated was the knowledge of preventive measures of avian influenza from farmers, live chicken sellers, and poultry veterinarian in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study using standardized questionnaire was conducted. Respondents included 236 poultry farmers, live chicken sellers (LCS), and veterinarian aged 12-70 years in contact with birds through husbandry. The study duration was from October 2010 to May 2011. Participants knowledge on transmission sources showed low understanding with highest being from bird-bird (57.3%). The medium most commonly utilized was electronic media (82.5%) as information source. Respondents thought that vaccination of birds (80.6%) would prevent infection. Farmers' education on bird flu needs to be improved through veterinary public health and health promotion approach. Nonpharmaceutical preventive measures such as hand washing freely and avoidance of eye, nose, and mouth touching must be improved.