New outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle herds in Nigeria during [2007][2008][2009]. The objectives of the study reported here were (i) to identify current FMD virus strains circulating in cattle herds and (ii) to identify exposure factors associated with a seropositive diagnosis of FMD in cattle herds. This study provides evidence that FMD virus serotypes O, A and SAT-2 were co-circulating in cattle herds in Nigeria during 2007-2009. Cattle herds in a neighborhood affected with FMD had higher odds of being classified as seropositive to FMD, compared to herds that were in a neighborhood not affected with FMD (OR = 16.27; 95% CI = 3.61, 18.74; P < 0.01). Cattle herds that share water points along the trek 2 routes with other cattle herds had higher odds of being classified as seropositive to FMD (adjusted OR = 4.15; 95% CI = 0.92, 18.74; P < 0.06). Results from this study can be used by veterinary services in Nigeria and neighboring countries to evaluate current or future FMD control and eradication programs.

The study was carried out to compare the effects of unfermented and fermented African locust bean on laying performance, haematology and serum biochemical profile of hens in a twelve week feeding trial. The unfermented African locust bean (UALB) contained seeds that were dehulled and boiled in water, without going through fermentation. The fermented African locust bean (FALB) contained seeds that were dehulled, boiled in water and made to undergo natural fermentation for 4 days. One hundred, 40-week old, laying hens (Nera black) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in which UALB and FALB replaced soybean meal at 50% and 100% levels. Trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity was higher in the raw African locust beans (RALB), but no trace of the TI was contained in the UALB and FALB. However, higher residual amounts of tannin (38.10 mg/g) and phytate (2.80 mg/g) were obtained from the UALB. Egg weight and hen day production were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in birds fed 100% UALB. Haemoglobin was similar (p > 0.05) across the groups of hens. The packed cell volume, red blood cells and white blood cells were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in hens fed 100% UALB. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in birds fed 50% UALB and 100% UALB respectively. Marginal differences were however obtained in all the response indices between hens fed the control diet, 50% FALB and 100% FALB respectively. It was therefore concluded that fermentation was a better processing method for optimal utilization of Africa locust beans in diets of laying hens.

Coronavirus had been in existence for many years, but its effects has not been so evident as the whole world experienced recently. It represents an unprecedented emergency and grave societal threat. The better way to cure the emergence disease is by protecting public health. However, governments, policy makers and the international community must quickly need to act, recognize and attempt to mitigate the negative impacts (current and potential) of the pandemic and related response efforts on key sectors that contribute to food security, nutrition and livelihoods. The livestock sector is a key contributor to these areas, especially for the world's most vulnerable populations. In the light of recent challenges in food supply chain, there is now considerable concern about the food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted in the movement restrictions of workers, changes in demand of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restricted food trade policies and financial pressures in food supply chain. The effects of COVID-19 on the livestock sector are still largely unquantified and yet to be fully felt. Formal assessments have not yet been possible, but current observations reveal disruptions to livestock value chains. Lessons from past epidemics indicate these disruptions are likely to grow, along with their dire, socio- economic consequences. Moreover, considering the doubt on how these factors will play out in various areas affected especially meat processing and distribution in the years to come from the bulk of discussion in this review.     Le coronavirus existait depuis de nombreuses années, mais ses effets n'ont pas été aussi évidents que le monde entier l'a récemment expérimenté. Cela représente une urgence sans précédent et une grave menace pour la société. La meilleure façon de guérir la maladie émergente est de protéger la santé publique. Cependant, les gouvernements, les décideurs et la communauté internationale doivent rapidement agir, reconnaître et tenter d'atténuer les impacts négatifs (actuels et potentiels) de la pandémie et des efforts de riposte connexes sur les secteurs clés qui contribuent à la sécurité alimentaire, à la nutrition et aux moyens de subsistance. Le secteur de l'élevage est un contributeur clé dans ces domaines, en particulier pour les populations les plus vulnérables du monde. À la lumière des défis récents de la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire, la production, la transformation, la distribution et la demande des aliments suscitent désormais des i nquiétudes considérables. Le COVID-19 a entraîné des restrictions de mouvement des travailleurs, des changements dans la demande des consommateurs, la fermeture des installations de production alimentaire, des politiques commerciales restreintes et des pressions financières dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement alimentaire. Les effets du COVID-19 sur le secteur du bétail sont encore largement non quantifiés et ne sont pas encore pleinement ressentis. Les évaluations formelles n'ont pas encore été possibles, mais les observations actuelles révèlent des perturbations dans les chaînes de valeur de l'élevage. Les leçons des épidémies passées indiquent que ces perturbations sont susceptibles de se développer, ainsi que leurs conséquences socio- économiques désastreuses. De plus, la prise en compte du doute sur la manière dont ces facteurs joueront dans divers domaines touchés, en particulier la transformation et la distribution de la viande dans les années à venir, constitue l'essentiel de la discussion dans cette revue.

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