Poultry Diseases Sero-prevalence and Biosecurity Risks Practices in Live Poultry Markets in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria

The first HPAI outbreak in Africa and in Nigeria occurred in Kaduna State. The study investigated factors favoring the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the prevalence of H5 subtypes, Newcastle and Gumboro diseases antibodies in live poultry markets in Southern Kaduna. One hundred and twenty-three questionnaires were administered to live poultry marketers and 230 blood samples were collected from poultry. Sera from these blood samples were analyzed using agar gel immunodiffusion test for Gumboro disease and hemagglutination inhibition tests for avian influenza and Newcastle disease antibodies. The mean chicken antibody titre and prevalence of Newcastle disease antibodies were 4.46 ± 0.25 log2 and 61.9% respectively. The avian influenza H5 subtype sero-prevalence rates in chickens and guinea fowls were 34.9% and 60.0% respectively with a chicken mean antibody titre of 3.90 ± 0.42 log2. Gumboro disease sero-prevalence rate in chicken was 58.6%. Cages were used by 42.6% of marketers though 66.0% use wooden cages. Marketers trading in markets with history of the outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza were more likely to separate their poultry based on breed and species compared to those from markets without history of outbreak of the disease. Live poultry marketers engaged in risky biosecurity practices such as eating, selling, and purchasing of sick poultry which will increase the likelihood of introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in live poultry markets. These practices together with failure to wash hands with water and soap increase the human exposure. The risk perception of live poultry marketers with history of AI outbreak was higher than for those without history of AI outbreak. The period of high sales of live birds were Christmas, New Year and Eid-el Fitr. Chickens and guinea fowls in live poultry markets sampled have been exposed to H5 subtype, Gumboro and Newcastle disease antigen. Practices such as selling, eating, and purchasing of sick birds are factors likely to enhance the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in live poultry markets. Government interventions have improved the risk perception of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the intervened markets. Hence there is need for intervention in other markets.