Seroprevalence of Influenza A Virus in Dromedaries in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Although influenza A virus is endemic in wild waterfowl, domestic poultry, swine, humans, bats, cetaceans, dogs, and horses, there is a paucity of data on the potential role of camels in zoonotic transmission of the virus. To estimate the seroprevalence of the influenza A virus in camel populations, four local government areas of Nigeria that share an international border with the Niger Republic were selected. Blood samples from 184 one-hump camels (dromedaries) were collected and tested for influenza IgG antigen by ELISA. Each camel’s demographic variable, such as age, gender, location, production system, and usage, was recorded. The overall seroprevalence rate of influenza virus IgG in this study was 10.33% (95%CI: 6.33–15.66%). In the bivariate model, there was no significant difference in gender, age, site location and production system, except for usage. There was a significantly lower seroprevalence rate among camels used for labour (odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.10–0.97) than those used for meat consumption; however, not after adjusting for other variables in the model. Increase surveillance through early detection, prediction, and risk assessment of pathogens in animal reservoirs and environmental contamination as One Health strategies to reduce potential human spillover is recommended. Molecular epidemiology studies could better elucidate the role of camels in the dynamics of disease transmission pathways.

Molecular epidemiology and genetic evolution of avian influenza H5N1 subtype in Nigeria, 2006 to 2021

“…The OpenFlu and GenBank databases had limited molecular data from Nigeria. Although intermittent outbreaks were reported during this period [30], few sequences were deposited from Nigeria. The data obtained from OpenFlu for the phylogenetic analysis of the H5N1 subtype showed more cases reported in Africa after the 2006 outbreak in Nigeria.…”

“…Nigeria will continue to experience an increased burden of avian influenza due to three major wild bird migratory routes that transverse the country from Asia and Europe, coinciding with the yearly peak periods of AIV outbreaks [29]. Secondly, the presence of migratory bird sanctuaries, especially in northern Nigeria [30], serves as a point for the introduction of novel strains of AIV, as observed during the 2015-2016 epizootics. Overall, Nigeria will still be a hotspot for AIV epizootics, which will subsequently spread to other regions of Africa, and this has been revealed by the clades that are circulating in other African countries.…”

Investigating Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus seropositivity in camels and human behavioural risks in an abattoir in Nigeria

“…A vast majority of camels in Nigeria are raised extensively, where they are exposed to extrinsic environmental factors suitable for vector proliferation. Recent studies have highlighted a predisposition of camels to zoonotic pathogens such as influenza A virus [ 29 ], MERS-CoV [ 30 ], Rift Valley fever virus [ 31 ], and hepatitis E virus [ 32 ]. CCHFV is an arboviral infection that can be categorized under acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AFI) in humans with unspecified clinical manifestations ranging from fever, headache, and malaise [ 33 ].…”

Zoonotic Animal Influenza Virus and Potential Mixing Vessel Hosts

“…Antibodies against pdmH1N1 and H3N2 were also detected in camels in Nigeria in 2015-2017 [332]. Several serosurvey studies in camels in African countries confirmed the presence of antibodies against influenza A, B, C, and D [336][337][338][339][340]. α2,3-SA are abundant in the camel nasal respiratory epithelium and in the sub-epithelial regions, in the secretory goblet cells of the nasal epithelium, and in alveolar epithelial cells [341].…”