Abstract
Newcastle disease constitutes a major constraint to rural poultry production system in Nigeria. This study used serological method to estimate the level of circulating antibodies against ND in nonvaccinated village chickens, raised under traditional management system in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to analyze 504 chicken sera for Newcastle disease virus antibodies from randomly selected households and live bird markets. Higher seroprevalence rate of Newcastle disease virus antibodies was detected in both household and live bird markets. Overall, seropositive rate was found to be 32.5% (164/504). About 35.8% (115/321) sero-positive rate was obtained from live bird markets while 26.8% (49/183) seropositive rate was found in households. Comparison was made between the sero prevalence of house hold and live bird markets as well as between sexes. Live bird markets show a statistically significant higher prevalence rate (P<0.05) when compared with chickens sampled from households (OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.024–2.275). The prevalence of ND indicated the presence of the virus amongst the population, and hence there should be an improvement in the vaccine campaign against ND for rural poultry especially the use of thermostable vaccine to reduce the chances of vaccine failure.
Highlights
Newcastle disease (ND) is a major viral disease of economic importance in poultry [1] and rated as one of the greatest constraints to the development of rural poultry production in Nigeria and in most developing countries, causing serious threats [2]
The present serological study revealed the presence of circulating antibodies of Newcastle disease among sampled village chickens from selected local governments of Zamfara State
Antibodies detected may be a result of natural infection since vaccination of the village poultry is rarely undertaken in Nigeria [12]
Summary
Newcastle disease (ND) is a major viral disease of economic importance in poultry [1] and rated as one of the greatest constraints to the development of rural poultry production in Nigeria and in most developing countries, causing serious threats [2]. The acute and virulent form may result in 90% mortality or more in affected flocks [4] It is an acute, rapidly spreading, contagious, nervous and respiratory disease of birds of all ages [5]. Village poultry production provides an important source of high quality protein, is reserved for times of celebrations, and is a good source of income for rural families [8]. This category of birds represents a significant part of the Nigerian rural economy in particular and of the national economy as a whole and is kept under the extensive management system [9]. The resources derivable from the chickens cannot be fully utilized unless the disease is controlled in the village poultry flocks that are believed to keep the virus in circulation and act as reservoirs and carriers to themselves and the more susceptible exotic breeds in commercial farms [10]
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