African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious, fatal, economically important, transboundary, viral disease of pigs caused by a DNA virus belonging to the genus Asfivirus and in the family Asfarviridae (Murphy et al., 1999). The first reported ASF outbreak in Nigeria was in 1998 at a farm located in Lagos (FAO, 1998;Odemuyiwa et al., 2000). The disease spread widely within the country and has become endemic resulting in huge economic losses to the pig industry (Fadiga et al., 2013;Igbokwe & Maduka, 2018). ASF is a very fatal disease that can cause up to 100% mortality in a naïve pig population (Costard et al., 2009). Poor biosecurity, bad abattoir practices and extensive or free-range pig farming systems are known risk factors that facilitate the widespread dissemination of the disease in the country (Owolodun et al., 2010). In West Africa, ASF is reported more in domestic pig population, with humans and other fomites potentiating its spread with a one-time incidence in wild suids (Dixon et al., 2020;Luther et al., 2007). However, both domestic and wild pigs are susceptible to ASFV, but the wild
Background Effective elimination of the COVID-19 pandemic is dependent on the COVID-19 vaccines that are readily available and acceptable to the public. This study evaluated the COVID-19 risk perception and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional online survey with a structured questionnaire employing a Snowball sampling method was administered among Nigerian adults from the beginning of COVID-19 mass vaccination in March 2021 till December 2021. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and multivariable regression. Participants’ general knowledge regarding COVID-19, willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines, perception of seriousness, susceptibility of COVID-19 were assessed. Results From the 402 responses received, the mean age of the respondents was 35.1 ± 11.9 years, with the majority being males (288 (71.6%)) and non-health workers (349 (86.8%)). Overall, COVID-19 knowledge was good, with a mean score of 6.2 ± 0.19 (range 0–8) and a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 65.67%. We found a consistent positive relationship between respondents’ COVID-19 knowledge and their willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines. Respondents who believed that the 5G network is not the cause of COVID-19 were two times more likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR 2.38; 95%CI 1.05–5.36; p = 0.04). Furthermore, our comparisons of respondents’ age groups and marital status revealed higher odds of being willing to accept COVID-19 vaccines among respondents who were age 50 ≥ years old (aOR 7.35; 95% CI: 1.69–31.93; p = 0.008) and those who were singles (aOR 4.39; 95% CI: 1.86–10.33; p = 0.001), respectively. However, non-healthcare workers with high income and educational status were unwilling to accept COVID-19 vaccines. Surprisingly, although 303 (75.4%) of the respondents believed COVID-19 is a severe disease, only 119 (45.1%) are confident of contracting the COVID-19 should they fail to adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Conclusion the study revealed that the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine varied across demographic characteristics, level of education, income and employment status, and perceived severity and susceptibility to COVID-19. We recommend continuous public health education on the risk of COVID-19 and the vital role vaccine will play in ending this pandemic.
Haemoparasitisms in animals are known to impose substantial economic burdens on owners. In Nigeria, most laboratories utilize only Light Microscopy (LM) for their diagnosis. Hence there is a need to have an update assessment of haemoparasitism of goat in Nigeria using molecular investigation. Using LM, blood samples from a total of 173 goats in Ibadan were screened for haemoparasites and haemocytopathological evaluation. Among them, 126 blood samples were randomly selected and PCR tested for the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia/Theileria spp (B/T) and the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp (A/E), while 91 samples were evaluated for the 16S RNA of hemotropic mycoplasma (hemoplasma). Relationship between the haematological changes and PCR results was evaluated. The PCR detection rate was signifi cantly and more than 4-fold higher compared to LM (61.5% and 14.5%, respectively; P < 0.0001) alone. A total of 150 animals were tested by both methods with 62.7% overall infection proportion. Comparison of LM and PCR analyses showed approximately 50% misdiagnosis of Hemoplasma spp by LM with 82.7% and 100% false negative for A/E and B/T recorded by LM, respectively. The haemoparasites detected by LM were Borrelia spp, Hemoplasma spp, Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp and, Trypanosoma brucei. A total of 34.1%, 23% and, 51.6% samples were positive for B/T, A/E and, hemoplasma, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of some PCR products identifi ed samples with high homology with Anaplasma ovis in the A/E group while the B/T were highly related to Theileria velifera. Sequencing of hemoplasma positive samples identifi ed Mycoplasma ovis, Mycoplasma wenyonii and Pseudomonas fl uorescens. The haematological changes were unspecifi c to infection types and, showed no signifi cant deviation between haemoparasite positive and negative animals. The striking disparity between LM and PCR methods for haemoparasite detection and a larger repertoire of haemoparasites are presented. Borrelia spp, Mycoplasma wenyonii, Pseudomonas fl uorescens and Theileria velifera are newly reported in goat with hemotropic mycoplasma being the most prevalent in Ibadan. Studies geared towards pathogenicity investigation in the unusual host, their diversity and factors of transmission are envisaged for effective prevention and control.
African swine fever is a highly contagious fatal infectious disease of pigs with a worldwide occurrence and economic importance. Two adult large white boars from two farms in Jos North, Plateau State-Nigeria kept under intensive management system were diagnosed of African swine fever between the last week of July and the first week of August 2019 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital University of Jos. In both cases the farmers complained of sudden deaths of pigs. At post mortem examination carcasses grossly showed splenomegaly, hemorrhagic lymphadenitis, and hepatomegaly with severe congestion. The kidneys were enlarged and had generalized petechiae and blood clot in the pelvis.The heart was moderately enlarged.On microscopy, the spleen and lymph nodes, showed severe lymphocytic depletion, haemorrhage and severe haemosiderosis. The liver was severely congested with focal coagulative necrosis of the hepatocytes. The kidneys were severely congested and showed renal tubular necrosis with few tubular protein casts. Tissue samples were confirmed to be positive for ASFV by polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to genotype-I. Sequences obtained were compared and deposited in the GenBank and were accessioned MN888693 and MN888694.
The consumption of dog meat has been reported in many countries of the world including Nigeria. Different pre-slaughter handling methods are commonly used prior to dog slaughter in many parts of the country including Plateau State. This study determined the frequency and reasons for the use of the various traditional preslaughter handling methods at the "Angwan Kare" Dog Market Jos. Relevant data were collected from 120 butchers interviewed randomly in groups of 20 for six consecutive days. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 120 butchers were interviewed, 114 (95%) used the strangulation method of preslaughter handling. The suffocation method was used by 2 butchers with 1.7% as the overall use frequency. The stunning method was used by 4 butchers with 3.3% as the overall frequency of use. It is evident from this study that the strangulation method with frequency of 95% is the most used of the pre-slaughter handling methods. Dog butchers should be trained and taught proper pre-slaughter stunning techniques to enhance meat quality and dog welfare through the relief of pain, fear and suffering.
Food animals slaughtered in developing countries especially in Nigeria have shown prevalence of abscess which is linked to poor animal husbandry. This condition affects the performance of animals hence decreasing their productivity. Secondary data on abscess in cattle, goats and pigs were extracted from the Jos Abattoir record book for a period of five years. Five hundred and ninety-two (1.8%) animals from a total of 33,637 animals slaughtered had abscess. Pigs had more abscess (3.5%) than cattle (3.3%) and goats (1.4%), respectively. Yearly distribution of this condition revealed peak prevalence in all species in 2014.
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