Serosurveillance for Avian Influenza in Local Chickens in Households and Live Bird Markets in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Enugu State, Nigeria has previously reported an outbreak of avian influenza in three local governments namely Igoetiti, Nkanu west and Udi following the resurgence of avian influenza in 2015. Traceback investigation on affected farms showed a direct link of confirmed outbreaks to the presence of apparently healthy asymptomatic local chicken roaming freely as resident local chicken within intensive farms. However, there was a paucity of data to support this hypothesis. Two hundred (200) serum samples were obtained from apparently healthy local chicken at the live bird market (Ibagwa Nkwo Nsukka) and purposively selected households within Enugu state. Serology for Avian influenza-specific antibodies was conducted using the Agar Gel immunodiffusion test. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to access the level of awareness of respondents to avian influenza (AI), management practices that may be associated with suspected cases of avian influenza and accessibility to veterinary care within the study area. The level of awareness for avian influenza was low, 31(48.4%), there was no association between gender, education of respondents and level of awareness about avian influenza within the study area, (P = 0.348, χ² =  1.035; df = 2), (P = 0.329, χ² = 2.225; df = 2). 53(82.8%) of the respondents reported to be aware of the availability of veterinary care; however, 21(39.6%) reported that limited fund was militating factor in accessing the services. Risk factors to avian influenza zoonosis included consumption of dead poultry “Morta,” (22, 34.4%); open disposal of carcasses (23, 35.9%) and mixing of local chickens with known reservoirs of avian influenza where ducks (76, 17.2%) and pigeons (119, 26.9%) were very common. Serological findings showed that all 200 samples (serum) were negative for avian influenza antibodies, premised on this finding, it was concluded that local chickens may not serve as reservoirs of avian influenza in the study area within the time frame.