Abstract
Background and Aim:Newcastle disease (ND) virus of free-range turkeys may be linked to outbreaks of ND in backyard chickens seen during Harmattan in Enugu State in Southeast Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ND virus and (NDV) detect NDV in the feces of free-range, domestic turkeys in Enugu, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:A total of 569 serum and 569 cloacal swab samples were collected from adult turkeys in selected households that keep turkeys and chickens together in the study area. The serum samples were assayed for antibodies against NDV using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, whereas the cloacal samples were subjected to virus detection using a hemagglutination (HA) test.Results:A total of 186 serum samples (32.7%) were positive for NDV and 383 (67.3%) were negative. Of the 186 NDV-positive serum samples, 138 (74.2%) had HI titers ≥ 8. The remaining 48 (25.8%) serum samples had HI titers <8. NDV was detected from the cloacal swabs of turkeys with NDV -positive serum samples.Conclusion:The turkeys in this study were not previously vaccinated with the NDV vaccine; thus, those with NDV -positive serum samples and virus shedding in their feces may be potential risks to chickens reared in the same households as well as on commercial farms in the area. Those turkeys with sera negative for NDV are regarded to be at risk if they encounter a virulent strain of NDV. Regular vaccination of turkeys against the NDV is advised, especially in backyard farms, where turkeys are reared together with chickens and other species of poultry.
Highlights
Newcastle disease (ND) is the most devastating viral disease of poultry, especially in developing countries, where the majority of the flock is raised on an extensive management system [1]
The turkeys in this study were not previously vaccinated with the ND virus and (NDV) vaccine; those with NDV -positive serum samples and virus shedding in their feces may be potential risks to chickens reared in the same households as well as on commercial farms in the area
This study aimed to investigate the presence of ND antibodies in the sera and NDV in the feces of turkeys to provide information on the role of turkeys in the ND outbreaks commonly seen in both local and exotic chickens in Enugu state of Southeast Nigeria
Summary
Newcastle disease (ND) is the most devastating viral disease of poultry, especially in developing countries, where the majority of the flock is raised on an extensive management system [1]. The disease is caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian orthoavulavirus 1 that belongs to the genus orthoavulavirus, in the subfamily Avulavirinae, and family Paramyxoviridae [2,3]. Chickens are most susceptible; turkeys are less susceptible; and quails, geese, and ducks are more resistant [4,5,6,7,8]. Newcastle disease (ND) virus of free-range turkeys may be linked to outbreaks of ND in backyard chickens seen during Harmattan in Enugu State in Southeast Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ND virus and (NDV) detect NDV in the feces of free-range, domestic turkeys in Enugu, Nigeria
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