MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GOAT POX ON SMALL HOLDER SHEEP AND GOATS FARMERS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Goat pox (GTP) is a major transboundary disease of sheep and goats caused by GTP virus (GTPV) leading to significant economic losses in many regions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia where the disease is present. In this study, participatory rural appraisal techniques and active disease follow-up were used to investigate suspected GTP outbreaks in Kanam Local Government Area, North Central Nigeria to study the epidemiology and determine the financial impact of the disease amongst sheep and goats farmers. Skin scabs were collected from goats with nodular pox-like lesions during field observation. All the respondents that participated in this study confirmed previous outbreaks of goat pox in their flock and only 33% of them had in the past sought veterinary services to manage the disease medically. Morbidity and mortality rates were determined to be 47% and 33%, respectively with mortality rates relatively higher in younger animals. From figures given by respondents, the annual cost of treating the disease ranged from 538 to 1,307 USD; the annual losses due to mortality was estimated to be 2,730 USD and the annual financial losses estimated to be 6,455USD. GTPV was detected in twenty percent (2/10) of the samples analyzed using Real time polymerase chain reaction, confirming GTP in the study area. Findings of this study reaffirm that participatory rural appraisal is a reliable investigative tool to determine incidence of livestock diseases.