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This study examined the waste disposal system of poultry farmers in Abia state. Poultry waste generation is on the increase due to the increase in the number of poultry farms. Improper handling of these wastes can result in environmental pollution and also affect human health. A questionnaire survey was carried out in 26 selected poultry farms that practice deep litter management system. The results reveal a steady increase in the number of people involved in poultry farming in the state, most (61.8%) of which engaged in layer production. 73.1% of the farmers were not aware that improper disposal of their waste affects the environment and health of individuals. Other management practices investigated revealed that most of the farmers do not know how to handle their waste efficiently.

A sudden outbreak of disease occurred after a broiler flock being reared on a battery cage was treated of chronic respiratory disease. The disease was marked by a short duration, high case fatality, rapid putrefaction and severe necrosis of the abdominal region evidenced by dark areas on the skin. There were areas of gas crepitation on the leg region. Necropsy revealed accumulation of red serosanguinous fluid in the affected subcutis with marked congestion of the musculature. Culture of the affected tissues yielded Clostridial and Staphylococcal spp in addition to E.coli. A combination of the clinical signs and laboratory evidence led to the diagnosis of gangrenous dermatitis. A successful treatment was achieved with the intramuscular administration of a long acting oxytetracycline and comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of the farm.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of allergic dermatitis in dogs in five chosen local government areas (LGA) that make up Aba city in Abia State. One veterinary clinic was chosen out of the many others present in each LGA. Confirmatory diagnosis was based on the presenting clinical manifestation of the dogs. The study showed that the prevalence rate of allergic dermatitis in dog is 11.6%. German shepherd and mongrel breed of dogs presented 45.5% and 48.5% prevalence for allergic dermatitis of the total positive. The study also indicated that the age and sex of dogs does not affect the prevalence of allergic dermatitis as presented by 3%, 3.1% and 3.3% respectively for ages of dogs, 49% and 51% for sex of dogs. The prevalence of canine allergic dermatitis is statistically significant (P

Sarcoptic mange, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabei, is one of the most common types of Mange affecting goats in the tropics. It has been recorded to be the most difficult to treat of all the different types of mange affecting goats. It is also very contagious and can pose a serious problem in the flock if left untreated. Ivermectin is an ectoparasiticide which has been used with success in the treatment of mange in domestic animals and man. This report documents the management and treatment of a reported case of Sarcoptic mange in West African Dwarf goat breed in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of haemoparasites in Red Sokoto goats slaughtered at Ahiaeke market, Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria were determined between the months of September and November 2014. Blood samples were collected from 125 adult goats using standard laboratory techniques. The blood samples were examined for haemoparasites using wet mount, buffy coat and thin smear stained with geimsa. The overall prevalence of haemoparasite infection was 57.6% of all the samples examined. The result shows that 72 animals were infected with various haemoparasites sampled for, whereas 53 animals were non-infected. The prevalence rates of infection were as follows; Babesiosis 29.6%, Anaplasmosis 16.8%, Trypanosomosis 1.6% and Mix infection 9.6%. The rate of infection was higher in the females than in males. The non-infected group had a significantly higher (P

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of grasscutter in umuahia area in south eastern Nigeria was investigated. Faecal samples of eight hundred and sixty (860) grasscutters were screened for the presence of the parasites. They were collected from freshly voided faeces, faecal egg count (FEC) was conducted using both the salt flotation and Mcmaster techniques. Coccidian oocysts were also noted and quantified using the same techniques as in FEC, both coccidian oocysts and helminth eggs were present. The number of grasscutter infected with gastrointestinal parasites were 320 with a prevalence of 37.2%. 90 (28.1%) and 230 (42.5%) of the 320 young and 540 adult grasscutter respectively were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. One hundred and sixty (30.7%) and one hundred and eighty (52.9%) of the male and female grassutters respectively were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. It was concluded that gastrointestinal parasites were common in grasscutters in umuahia area. There is need for appropriate sustainable control measure to enhance a profitable grasscutter enterprise.

This study was carried out to assess the physical conditions, and functional status of infrastructure as well as the process of operations of Aba abattoir in Abia State. It was observed that the design of the abattoir is not good enough to pass for a standard abattoir. There is no functional pipe borne water the butcher’s sourced water from nearby streams, the water supply from their state water board hardly gets to the abattoir and this gives room for contamination and cross contamination of the carcass because the butchers often do not use enough quantity of water to wash the carcass. The absence of electricity and portable water supply coupled with the poor status and unhygienic conditions of this abattoir raise serious public health concern, as hygiene problem are not only limited to slaughtering but are also associated with incorrect processing. Ante- mortem inspection is hardly carried out. The method of immobilizing the animals prior to slaughter is crude, as it involves physical struggle to wrestle down the animal and this affects the quality of the meat. The hides and skin are usually burnt with the use of tyres and this causes serious environmental hazards.

This study was carried out to find out the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) as it relates to rabies exposure among dog meat consumers and processors in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered and the respondents comprised of 81 dog consumers and 19 processors. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for the analysis. Results showed that, 100% of the respondents were not previously vaccinated against rabies and consume dog meat in a cooked form. The result also established that 94.7% of the processors and 33.3% of the consumers were previously bitten by dog. Despite the fact that majority of the processors (73.7%) and consumers (71.6%) had prior knowledge of rabies, but on exposure, 72.8% and 70.4% respectively sought traditional methods of treatment following dog bite. A greater percentage (76.5%) believed that clinical rabies had market value more than non clinical rabies because parts from rabid dogs were considered more effective in treatment of some ailments such as malaria, enhancement of libido and spiritual protection, there was no significant association between KAP in relation to dog bite and rabies exposure (p=0.53). This study established that there was a high level of awareness of rabies by consumers and processors in the study area. though rabid dog was not seen as a public health concern but rather associated with medicinal and spiritual values. This belief may pose a health hazard and may militate against the control of rabies in the state.

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered in three abattoirs in Abia State. Liver specimen from 1,336 slaughtered cattle in three selected abattoirs in Abia State were examined. Three hundred and one (301) (22.53%) cattle were infected with Fasciola spp. Infection rates were higher in the females (27.82%) than in the male animals (17.82%). Adult animals (25.44%) were also found to be more infected than young animals (18.93%). The findings reveal that Fasciolosis is an emerging problem in the study area and calls for improved management practices and regular and strategic parasite monitoring and deworming programmes in order to achieve improved health and performance. Public awareness campaigns should also be organized in order to enlighten the populace on the ills of the disease.

A total of six hundred and eighty (680) cases of dogs visiting the Abia state veterinary clinic were examined to investigate the influence of age, breed, sex, and season on the prevalence of gastro intestinal helminth parasites (GIHP) of dogs from 2007-2012. It was observed from the results that out of six hundred and eighty (680) cases recorded, the prevalence of GIHP were. Ancylostoma 217 (31.9%) Toxocara 81, (11.9%) tape worm 36 (5.2%). The age of the dogs significantly influenced the occurrence of Ancylostoma infections and Toxocara infections (p 0.05) while the influence of breed on the occurrence of ancylostomosis in local breeds was significant (p

Introduction: Retention of trained, qualified and motivated health workers is a key component for health system strengthening and achieving world health organization’s (WHO) global strategy for reducing leprosy burden and sustaining leprosy control activities. Study aimed to elucidate the factors and conditions that influence health workers’ job satisfaction in settlements. Materials and method: A total of 31 health workers employed in the three settlements were studied. Data were collected using semi-structured focus group discussion and in-depth interview. Further, situational analyses and informal observation of the activities in the settlements were done. Also Nottingham’s life satisfaction index was used to assess job satisfaction of health workers. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: There was acute shortage of highly qualified health staff in the settlements. Two factors, personal factors and institutional factors affected health workers’ retention negatively. Workers remained in one post for prolonged periods of time before earning promotion. In all, 10 (76.9%)of health workers in Abia and 8(72.7%) in Ebonyi States stayed 6-9 years respectively on one post before earning promotion while 4(57.1%) from Oyo stayed 3-7 years. Conclusion: the study showed that retention of health workers in the three settlements was associated with better conditions of service like increased allowances and salaries. Key words: health care, motivation, leprosy, incentive, settlement, and salary [TAF Prev Med Bull 2012; 11(1.000): 11-18]