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Urinary schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma haematobium and is usually associated with lesions in the genito-urinary tracts of affected people. A cross-sectional study was designed to examine factors influencing the occurrence of the disease among inhabitants of the IDP camps located in Maiduguri between October 2016 and June 2019. Information on demography, major sources of water supply and water-contact behaviours were obtained using pre-validated structured questionnaire. Urine samples were collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using standard methods. A sample yielding at least one egg was considered positive while a sample that did not yield any was considered to be negative. The characteristics and disease risk factors were compared between respondents that tested positive and those that were negative for the infection using univariable statistical analysis and factors found to be significant were further analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The results showed the overall prevalence of infection among the IDPs to be 21.9% (95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI= 19.54-24.42%). The multivariable logistic regression model showed that the statistically significant (p

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging mosquito-borne zoonosis that threatens public health and animal agriculture in the endemic areas causing devastating epizootics characterized by abortion storms and high mortalities, especially in newborn animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and investigate risk factors associated with exposure to the virus in camels slaughtered in Maiduguri abattoir, Borno state of Nigeria. Camels presented for slaughtered were sampled and data on age, sex, source or origin, utility, presence of post mortem lesions, body weights and body condition score were collected. Blood samples were collected and sera were harvested and stored at -20°C until tested. The sera were tested using a commercial ELISA kit based on the manufacturer's instructions. The overall seroprevalence in the study was 20.7% (95% CI, 13.6 – 30.0). The analysis showed no significant differences between presence of antibodies and variables that included the sex of camels (c2=0.015, df = 1, p = 0.904) and presence of post mortem lesion on the carcass (c2=0.009, df = 1, p = 0.925). There were significant differences between presence of antibodies and three variables that included the age (c2= 4.89, df = 1, p = 0.027), the source (c2= 7.077, df = 2, p = 0.029) and the main utility (c2= 8.057, df = 3, p = 0.045) of the camels. It was concluded that camels presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri abattoir have evidence of exposure to the RVF virus and may be means of transmission of the virus. Regular monitoring and control of transboundary animal movements were recommended in the study area.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to determine seroprevalence and risk factors influencing the presence of Brucella antibodies in donkeys of Borno State, north-eastern Nigeria. The study aimed at providing baseline information that may be used in planning a control policy against equine brucellosis. Blood samples were collected from 601 donkeys, comprised of 374 males and 227 females from the six agricultural zones of the state between March 2013 and September 2014. The sera obtained were tested for Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Of the 601 donkeys tested, 43 (7.2%) and 40 (6.7%) were seropositive by RBPT and cELISA, respectively. A seroprevalence of 8.6% was obtained in male and 3.5% in female donkeys. According to age, the highest seroprevalence of 9.6% was obtained from donkeys of age group 4-6 years. With respect to pregnancy status, a higher seroprevalence (6.8%) was obtained from pregnant donkeys compared to 3.8% obtained from the non-pregnant ones. There were statistically significant associations between the presence of antibodies and sex (p 0.05) and the presence of antibodies and age (p 0.05) of the studied donkeys. However, no statistically significant association (p 0.05) was observed between the pregnancy status and presence of antibodies. The study concludes that Brucella infection is present in donkeys in all the agricultural zones of the state. The relatively high seroprevalence (7.2%) obtained is of public health concern because of the close interaction between donkeys, ruminants, and humans in the study area.

Aim: To determine the seroepidemiological patterns of bovine brucellosis in three senatorial zones of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were aseptically collected from the anterior jugular vein of 336 slaughtered cattle, between September 2013 and March 2014 in three senatorial zones of Bauchi State, Nigeria. The sera obtained were screened for brucellosis using rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) in parallel. The data generated was subjected to Chi-square and Fishers exact test analysis to establish whether there is a relationship between the breeds, sex, and location of the animals sampled. Results: Of the 336 cattle screened, 18 (5.4%) and 13 (3.9%) were positive by RBPT and SAT, respectively. There was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between the sex, age, and location of cattle with seropositivity of brucellosis in the state. It was concluded that brucellosis is prevalent in Bauchi State. Further study is recommended in other abattoirs and herds of cattle in Bauchi State for confirmation of the status of the disease among cattle slaughtered in the state. Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of brucellosis among the cattle in Bauchi state indicates that the disease is endemic and cattle are one of the animals that perpetuate and sustain the disease.