A survey study was conducted from June to December 2009 using standard parasitological procedures to determine the prevalence of tick infestation among cattle of different breeds in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. The tick species identified were Boophilus microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineous and Ornithodorus spp. Of the 205 cattle examined, 63.4% (95% CI: 56.8 -70.0) were tick infested. Males had a non -significantly (P > 0.05) higher infestation rate of 63.4% (56.7 -71.7) compared with the females 60.9% (46.8 -75.0). Younger animals aged ≤ 3 years had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of 85.4% (74.6 -96.2) as compared with the adults aged > 3 -7 years 55.8% (46.3 -65.3) and older animals > 7 years 35.0% (22.9 -47.1). Among breeds, Wadara and Kuri had significantly (P < 0.05) higher infestation rates of 66.1% (57.9 -74.3) and 66.7% (13.4 -120.0) respectively. Gudali had 60.9% (41.0 -80.8), Rahaji 58.0% (44.3 -71.7) and Bunaji 50. 0% (19.3 -119.3). Based on the predilection sites, the udder and external genitalia, inner thigh and under the tail/perineum were the most tick-infested sites with 84.3% (78.3 -88.5), 79.0% (73.4 -84.6) and 69.8% (63.5 -76.1) respectively (P < 0.05). While the less preferred sites eyes, neck/dewlap, ears and all over the body each had prevalence of 26. 3% (20.3 -32.3), 14.6% (9.8 -1.4), 12.2% (7.7 -16.7) and 11.2% (6.9 -15.5) respectively. This study reveals high prevalence of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Maiduguri. This might hamper cattle production and productivity in Nigeria. Thus, it is recommended that appropriate control strategies be instituted to control ticks in the study area.

This study was conducted to report the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and to estimate the direct economic losses (DEL) from condemnation of liver as a result of detection of lesions of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs. Retrospective data were collected from the abattoir records obtained from Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR) Makurdi, from 2008 to 2012. Direct economic losses were calculated based on a pilot study to determine the average price of liver per kilogram (AvP/kg) and using the formula: DEL = w × AvP/kg, where is the number of livers condemned and is the average liver weight in kg. Between 2008 and 2012, 64,978 cattle were slaughtered at Makurdi abattoirs, out of which 9,478 cattle were infected with Fasciola species. This represents an overall prevalence of 14.56% (95%, C.I.: 12.99 -16.85%). Annual prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was significantly (P <0.05) high in 2010 and decreased from 2011 to 2012. During the late dry season, the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was significantly high (P <0.05). A total of 4220 liver were condemned during the study period. This amounted to 12660 kg and valued at ₦12,660,000.00 ($79251.60 USD). The highest prevalence was recorded during the late dry season. However, cattle acquire the infection during the wet season and early dry season. Pathological lesions were much obvious during the late dry season possibly when the animals were most stressed, hence we suggest that control measures should be targeted towards wet and early dry seasons. Bovine fasciolosis is prevalent in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs and accounts for huge financial losses.

A study of response of village chickens to vaccination with ND I 2 vaccine coated on maize grit as vaccine carrier was carried out in some selected LGAs of Gombe State, using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Vaccination efficacy of maize grit coated with Newcastles Disease I 2 vaccine has been compared between adult and young, village chickens. The study showed that 94.3% of the vaccinated village chickens (adults and chicks) seroconverted with protective levels of antibodies against ND virus. Those vaccinated with the maize grit coated vaccine exhibited antibody titres of between 1:16 to 1:8192 with GMT values of 109 to 245. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the response of the vaccinated adult village chickens as compared to the younger birds (chicks). It is concluded from the study that maize grit is a very suitable vaccine carrier for the delivery of ND I 2 vaccine to village chickens.

Avian haemosporidian infections are widespread and can result in the decline of populations or extinction of birds’ species. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in 570 rock doves sampled from household and live birds markets from Gombe State, Nigeria. Blood samples were microscopically examined for the presence of haemoparasites, and the overall prevalence of avian haemosporidiosis was 41.8%. The prevalence of haemosporidian was significantly higher (P <0.0001; χ2 = 16.665) in doves from live birds’ markets (25.8%) compared to households (25.8%). Prevalence was also higher (P = 0.2027; χ2 = 1.623) in female (22.3%) compared to male (19.5%) doves. Out of the 238 infected doves, 82 (14.4%) were infected with Haemoproteus , 58 (10.2%) with Plasmodium and 40 (7.0%) with Leucocytozoon species. 25 doves (4.4%) had mixed infection with Haemoproteus + Plasmodium species, 21 (3.7%) had mixed Leucocytozoon species + Plasmodium species infections while 12 (3.7%) had mixed Haemoproteus + Plasmodium + Leucocytozoon species infections. Prevalence of all avian haemosporidian species were higher (P > 0.05) in doves sampled from live birds’ markets compared to those from households, and all avian haemosporidian species except Leucocytozoon species were higher (P > 0.05) in female than in male doves. It is recommended that awareness campaign to educate the poultry farmers and sellers on how to improve management practices is necessary so as to prevent widespread transmission of the haemosporidian parasites amongst domesticated birds.