The mortality losses of pigs of various age groups affected by the 2001 African swine fever outbreak in Ibadan Nigeria were analyzed and evaluated. Thirty one thousand nine hundred and sixteen (31,916) pigs on three hundred and six (306) farms reported by the Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria and the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources were involved. Gross mortality was ninety one percent (91%), while age group mortality ranged from 75.9% (growers), 83.1% (weaners), 91.2% (finishers) and 99.8% (piglets); to 100.0% in gilts, sow and boars. Losses were estimated to worth nine hundred and forty one thousand, four hundred and ninety one dollars, sixty seven cents (US $941, 491.67). Highest financial loss was from sows (29.5% of total loss), followed by gilts (16.6%), finishers (15.2%), weaners (10.7%), boars (10.6%), growers (10.6%) and piglets (8.2%). Average mortality loss per farm of $3076.77 was of great financial and socioeconomic consequences for a developing country like Nigeria with a low Gross Domestic Product figures. In conclusion, the need to immediately revisit and take recommended actions on the 1998 Report of the FAO Consultancy Mission to Nigeria on Control and Eradication of an Outbreak of African swine fever in Western Nigeria is stressed.

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BackgroundHuman and animal influenza are inextricably linked. In particular, the pig is uniquely important as a mixing vessel for genetic reassortment of influenza viruses, leading to emergence of novel strains which may cause human pandemics. Significant reduction in transmission of influenza viruses from humans, and other animals, to swine may therefore be crucial for preventing future influenza pandemics. This study investigated the presence of the 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus, A(H1N1)pdm09, in Nigerian and Ghanaian pigs, and also determined levels of acceptance of preventive measures which could significantly reduce the transmission of this virus from humans to pigs.MethodsNasal swab specimens from 125 pigs in Ibadan, Nigeria, and Kumasi, Ghana, were tested for the presence of influenza A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) by quantitative antigen-detection ELISA. A semi-structured questionnaire was also administered to pig handlers in the two study areas and responses were analyzed to evaluate their compliance with seven measures for preventing human-to-swine transmission of influenza viruses.ResultsThe virus was detected among pigs in the two cities, with prevalence of 8% in Ibadan and 10% in Kumasi. Levels of compliance of pig handlers with relevant preventive measures were also found to be mostly below 25 and 40% in Ibadan and Kumasi, respectively.ConclusionDetection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 among pigs tested suggests the possibility of human-to-swine transmission, which may proceed even more rapidly, considering the very poor acceptance of basic preventive measures observed in this study. This is also the first report on detection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Ghanaian pigs. We recommend improvement on personal hygiene among pig handlers, enforcement of sick leave particularly during the first few days of influenza-like illnesses, and training of pig handlers on recognition of influenza-like signs in humans and pigs. These could be crucial for prevention of future influenza pandemics.

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Dog use and associated management practices were investigated in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, Nigeria from August to October 2010. All identified 16,348 household compounds in the city were investigated. Five hundred (500) questionnaires were directly administered at household and compound levels to capture data on socio-economic profile of dog owners, reasons for keeping dogs and types of management system practiced. The results indicated that majority [621, n = 1,258 (49.4%)] of dogs were kept primarily for security of premises. Some 205 (16.3%) were kept for breeding and commercial ventures, 184 (14.6%) were kept as pets, 103 (8.2%) were kept essentially for game hunting, 98 (7.8%) were used for multiple purposes and 47 (3.7%) were raised as source of meat. Dog management ranged from intensive (kennel confined) [331, (26.3%)], to extensive (free -roaming) system in 927 (73.7%) dogs. Dogs were kennel confined mostly [207, (16.5%)] in high income residential areas, while all dogs in transit areas were free-roaming. A positive correlation (r 2 =0.74) exists between extensive practice and dogs for meat production which were left to scavenge freely in the city. The implication of dog use and management practices in relation to rabies control in Ilorin city and its environs is discussed in this paper. Status of community hygiene and environmental health is contributory to rabies risk in the city. Improved community hygiene is needed to complement effective vaccination coverage of dogs for rabies control in the city.