Serologic Evidence of Infection with H5 Subtype Influenza Virus in Apparently Healthy Local Chickens in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

A serologic survey for antibodies against H5 subtype influenza virus in 605 apparently healthy local chickens using a hemagglutination inhibition test was carried out in 12 local government areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria. An overall prevalence of 18.1% was recorded, with a higher prevalence of 27.3% in six local government areas that have not reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and a lower prevalence of 7.5% in six local government areas that had reported and confirmed outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 virus between 2006 and 2007. There was association between the presence of ducks and detection of H5 antibodies (P = 0.000, odds ratio = 0.22). The implication of this finding is discussed, although a virologic investigation to verify the findings of this study is highly recommended.

Avian Influenza Surveillance in Pigs, Dogs, Chickens and Slaughter Slabs Biosecurity in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

“…The study confirms that radio was a major means of HPAI information dissemination like previous studies though unlike local poultry farmers, television was also an appropriate medium of HPAI information for dog owners [6,25]. This is because unlike local poultry farmers, dog owners are more affluent and can afford TV and generators if there is power failure.…”

“…However, AI currently has a worldwide distribution in many domestic and wild animals including pigs, dogs and humans but chickens, quails and turkeys are the most susceptible [2,3]. The outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in Nigeria in 2006 increases the risk of introduction and spread of the virus in other domestic animals especially with reports of avian influenza virus and antibodies in apparently healthy waterfowls and chickens in Northern Nigeria and Kaduna State respectively [4,5,6]. These extensively raised domestic animals with minimal or no biosecurity, are at risk of exposure to AI viruses from direct contact with infected wild birds or indirect contact with fomites [7].…”

Mortality and Pathology Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Nigeria

“…This is attributed to the large number of laying birds in individual flocks as compared to other chicken types under these sectors. This significantly affected the economy not only because a whooping sum of N631 million (US$5.43 million) was paid as compensations to farmers [ 19 ] but also because laying hens contribute huge resources to the national poultry flock and this emphasizes the importance of commercial layer flocks [ 20 ] for Nigeria's economy. It was also observed that the average mortality rate was the least in commercial layers (11.11%) and the highest in broilers (73.92).…”

Identification of Potential Risk Factors Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Subtype H5N1 Outbreak Occurrence in Lagos and Kano States, Nigeria, During the 2006-2007 Epidemics

“…Proximity to other poultry farms would imply not only the mixing with other birds, infected but apparently healthy, but also the potential exchange of equipment. The role of backyard farms in the spread of HPAI H5N1 was expressed as a concern not only in Egpyt, Vietnam, Cambodia (Hosny, 2006; Burgos et al., 2008a,b), but also in Nigeria (Joannis et al., 2008) where a cross‐sectional study in the State of Kaduna estimated that 18.1% of apparently healthy chicken were serologically positive to H5 virus (Durosinlorun et al., 2010). In the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, flocks sharing scavenging areas with flocks from other farms were at an increased risk of HPAI outbreak (Henning et al., 2009).…”