Newcastle disease is a contagious disease of birds and is the greatest constraint to the development of rural poultry production in Nigeria and most developing countries. The only effective means of control is vaccination which is not properly carried out in Nigeria. Therefore, this project determined the prevalence rate of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in local chicken in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. About 5 mL of blood was collected from each of 200 chickens at the point of sale by exsanguination and sera obtained were analyzed using Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test to determine the prevalence of NDV. Of the 200 samples screened 34 were positive for HI antibody to NDV giving a prevalence rate of 17%. The prevalence rate obtained in this study is significant (P < 0.05) and indicates endemicity of the disease. There was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) difference in the seroprevalence of NDV antibodies among the four markets studied. Further studies are required to determine the strains circulating for appropriate preventive and control measures.

Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) poses a great global threat to the poultry industry. Knowledge of the occurrence of the disease is important in the design and implementation of a control program, therefore this study determines the seroprevalence of IBDV in local chickens in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. 250 chickens were bled by exsanguination and sera obtained were screened using Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test. The seropositivity was 51.6%, which is indicates endemicity of the disease. Biosecurity and good sanitary measures are recommended. Molecular characterization of the strains should be carried out for inclusion in generic vaccines.

Influenza A virus presents a significant public health burden worldwide, with the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic being the most dramatic example. Swine influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans through occupational exposures and in live pig markets. Novel variants can emerge in pigs because they can be infected by human, avian and swine strains. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and serotypes of swine influenza in pigs from a major slaughter slab in southern Kaduna. Using competitive ELISA and haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assays, 305 swine sera were analysed. The result showed an overall seroprevalence of 28.20% (n=86), with H3N2 7.87% (n=24) emerging as the most dominant subtype in circulation. Concurrent antibody detection of H1N1 in 5.26% (n=16) was also detected in boar 2.62% (n=8) and sows 2.62% (n=8). This study revealed swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 serotypes are in circulation in pigs in Kaduna State, and that reassortment in the instance of co-infection of swine host is possible.

This study determined the in-ovo antiviral effect of crude Methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus on Newcastle disease virus. Cold extraction was carried out using analytical grade methanol. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract was carried out using standard procedures. Antiviral assay was carried out in nine-day old specific pathogen free embryonated hens’ eggs in three designs made of five eggs per group (Virus with extract, virus only and un-inoculated groups) with concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg ml−1. Egg toxicity of the extract was determined for concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg ml−1. Inoculated eggs were incubated at 37 °C and observed daily for 96 h for embryo survival and mortality. Spot haemagglutination was carried out on bacteria-free allantoic fluid from the embryonated eggs to detect the presence of the virus. Phytochemical assay revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, phlebotannins and terpenoids. Mild toxicity was observed at concentrations of 100 mg ml−1 and above. There was no haemagglutination of fluid from the eggs inoculated with a combination of Virus and extract at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg ml−1. The current findings demonstrated that leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus has potential medicinal value as well as antiviral activity against Newcastle disease virus in-vivo. The specific mechanism of action remains to be studied to further elucidate on its potential as a therapeutic product for the treatment of Newcastle Disease.