Awareness and antibody detection of Newcastle disease virus in a neglected society in Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of rural poultry farmers on vaccination and to detect Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody in local birds (LB) and eggs in Kwara State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Data on farmers' attitude, knowledge, practices, and experiences on ND mortality were obtained through an interview using a structured cross-sectional checklist. NDV antibodies were detected in sera and egg yolks of local chickens (LC) and guinea fowls (GF) using hemagglutination inhibition test. Results: A total of 83 interviewees, 287 sera and 121 egg yolk extracts, were examined. The study revealed that 98.8% (82/83) of the interviewee had never vaccinated their flock before. 90% of the interviewee had reported high mortality in birds within 1-6 months old, while the major clinical signs were cold (40.4%) and torticollis (30.8%). Evidences of LB exposure to wild-type NDV were confirmed by the detection of NDV antibodies in 20.8% and 0% of LC and GF, respectively. The mortality differences experienced in <1 and 1-6 months old LB could be explained by the presence of maternally-derived NDV antibody (49.6%) in egg yolk. Conclusion: The study showed that LB suffers from NDV as a result of LB keepers' ignorance and neglect by the government. This has limited local investment and subsequent contribution to gross domestic product. This study suggests that the key factors to the prevention of ND remain awareness creation about poultry vaccination, production of affordable vaccines, and availability/accessibility to veterinarian (or trained personnel).

Molecular Characterization of Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus (Sub-Genotype VII.1.1) from Wild Birds, with Assessment of Its Pathogenicity in Susceptible Chickens

“…As shown in our work, wild birds were apparently healthy, but a few birds showed ruffled feathers with whitish-green diarrhea, while post-mortem examination showed enteritis, whitish-green intestinal contents, and cloudiness of the air sacs. The present clinical findings are consistent with previous data reporting respiratory, gastrointestinal, circulatory, and nervous signs in infected chickens [ 75 , 76 ]. The clinical signs might vary depending on several factors, such as the pathogenicity of the virus; host factors such as age, species, and immune status; infectious dose duration and extent; and concurrent infections [ 77 ].…”

Epidemiology of Newcastle disease in Africa with emphasis on Côte d'Ivoire: A review

“…[ 38 ] have also shown that in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and Guinea, ND is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in poultry. Several studies have shown the endemicity of this disease in traditional poultry farming in countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire [ 39 , 40 ], Nigeria [ 41 , 42 ], Sudan [ 43 ], Uganda [ 44 ], Mauritania [ 45 ], Niger [ 46 ], Tanzania [ 47 ], Madagascar [ 48 , 49 ], Togo [ 50 ], and Congo [ 51 ]. This disease, although not the main cause of death in Cameroon [ 52 ], Mali [ 16 ], Burkina Faso [ 53 ], Chad [ 54 ], and Zimbabwe [ 55 ], is the second cause of death accounting for, on average, 35%.…”

Possible Outbreak of Newcastle Virus Infection in the Face of Increasing Trend of Backyard Poultry Farm Management Interface in Nigeria: A Public Health and Food Security Threat

“…Similarly, Aboe PAT, et al [95] have also shown that in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and Guinea, NDV is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in poultry. Several studies have shown the endemicity of this disease in traditional poultry farming in countries, such as Côte d'Ivoire Couacy-Hymann E, et al [96], Kouakou AV, et al [97], Nigeria Jibril AH, et al [98], Daodu OB, et al [99], Sudan Elmardi NA, et al [100], Uganda Kasozi KI, et al [101], Tanzania Wyatt A, et al [102], Madagascar Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo H, et al…”