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Original Research
2.
Avian influenza (H5 subtype) antibodies in village
chickens in four local government areas of Kaduna
state, Nigeria -
Victor T. Gugong, Ikwe Ajogi, Kabir Juniadu,
Emmanuel C. Okolocha, Emmanuel O. Ngbede, Sunday E.
Hambolu, Nanven A. Maurice
Vet World. 2012; 5(12): 713-717
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2012.7
13-717
Abstract
Aim:
Biosecurity measures are rarely implemented in
traditional farming systems especially in the
villages. Given the importance of the village
chickens as a source of income for rural families
and its public health concern due to the frequent
contact that exist between these birds and humans a
study was conducted to assess the presence of
antibodies to the H5 avian influenza virus subtype
in village chickens in some Local Government Areas (LGAs)
in Kaduna State.
Materials and Methods: A
total of 480 sera samples were obtained from
apparently healthy local chickens in five LGAs where
the avian influenza outbreak has not been reported.
The sera were subjected to the Haemagglutination
inhibition (HI) test using the H5N2 avian influenza
antigen.
Results: An overall prevalence of
2.9% with an individual seroprevalence of 10%, 0.8%,
4.1% and 3.3% in Jaba, Jemma'a, Kaura and Zango
Kataf local government areas respectively. There was
no association between presence of pigs and
detection of avian influenza antibodies, p=0.8723,
OR 0.9153 (95% CI: 0.3108–2.695), but there was an
association between presence of water birds (Gesse
and Ducks) and detection of avian influenza
antibodies, p= 0.0203, OR 3.488 (95% CI:
1.146–10.61).
Conclusions: This result
highlights the important role apparently healthy
village chickens may play in virus perpetuation
(reservoir) and in the spread of avian influenza to
other animals and humans. An enhanced and sustained
virological surveillance for the virus in village
chickens was recommended.
Keywords:
antibodies, avian influenza, Kaduna State, Nigeria,
village chickens
