Analyses of swine tissue samples for evidence of African swine fever in pig producing states of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reports the current situation of African swine fever (ASF) that devastated the pig production enterprise of Nigeria. The disease was confirmed through laboratory tests in 18 States of Nigeria covering of the southeast, southwest, southsouth and central states of the country. The samples were derived from the various submissions made by state veterinary authorities to the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom. The staff of the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom also collected a few others, during field investigations. Tests performed for antibody detection of ASFV were indirect ELISA and Immunoblotting assays according to standard protocols of the Office of International Epizootics. The suspect tissues were also tested for ASFV genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, while DNA extraction was performed using guanidinum thiocyanate method as well as immunoflourescence technique. A total of 530 serum samples were collected and tested from cross section of pigs from 23 states of the Federation, covering a large segment of the swine producing states of the country. Overall prevalence rate as determined by indirect ELISA test and immunoblotting assay is 34.3%. Prevalence was higher in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe and Kebbi states. Most of the tissue samples tested were positive for ASF virus using a combination of direct immunoflourescence and polymerase chain reaction. Emphasis is dwelt on the epidemiology and the practical problems associated with control of the disease. Our capacity to control ASF in the coming years depends largely on careful consideration of this report with proper partnership between government, pig farmers and veterinarians. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(2) 2006: 70-75