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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.

Aim: To determine the Brucella antibodies in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) herds in Yobe State, North-eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were aseptically collected from four hundred (400) camels comprising 168 males and 232 females from the five agricultural zones of Yobe State. The sera obtained from the blood samples were screened by C-ELISA. In addition, a structured questionnaire was administered to the herdsmen to obtained information on pastoralist personal data such as age, educational background, family size, and type of labour employed. Other information includes herd size, herd medical history, and patronage of veterinary services. Results: 66 (16.5%) of the 400 screened camels were found seropositive for Brucella. This was comprised of 26 (6.5%) male and 40 (10.0%) female camels. Out of the 66 seropositive camels, 2(0.5%) and 64 (16.0%) were young and adult camels, respectively. Geidam agricultural zone of the state had the highest specific sero-prevalence of 24 (6.0%), followed by Gashua 19 (4.75%), Nguru 11 (2.75%), Potiskum 8 (2.0%), and Damaturu 4 (1.0%). There was a significant statistical association between the age of camel and serological reaction to C-ELISA (P>0.05), with the adult camels more significantly associated with Brucella infection OR = 7.881 (1.880 – 33.039; P>0.05) than the young camels. There was no significant statistical association (P>0.05) between sexes of camels and positive serological reaction to C-ELISA. Low level of education, low patronage of veterinary services, and lack of vaccination against brucellosis were observed among the herdsmen. Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of brucellosis among the camels of all the agricultural zones of the state indicates that the disease is endemic and camel is one of the animals that perpetuate and sustain the disease.

The present study was carried out to survey the seroprevalence of brucellosis in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the five agricultural zones of Yobe State, Northeastern Nigeria. Four hundred (400) camels of between 6 months and 12 years old were sampled. The serum samples were screened for Brucella antibodies by Microtitre Serum Agglutination Test (MSAT). The overall seroprevalence among the camel tested in all the agricultural zones was 106(26.5%), of which 42(10.5%) were male and 64(16.5%) were female camels. There was no significant statistical difference (P>0.05) in the seroprevalence based on sex of the camels in the state. However, there was significant association between the female sex of camel and serological reaction to MSAT (OR = 1.143). Of the 106 positive camels, 8(2.0%) were young while 98 (24.5%) were adults. There was a significant statistical difference (P< 0.05) in the age distribution of Brucella infection in camels with significant statistical association between the adult camel and serological reaction to MSAT (OR =3.141). Brucella infection was reported in all the agricultural zones of the state with significant association between the female sex and Brucella infection. It was concluded that the level of Brucella infection in camels in the state is high and this could be attributed to the low level of veterinary services patronage by the herdsmen and their low level of education.

Four hundred (400) unvaccinated cattle were screened by C-ELISA and 100 structured questionnaires were administered to the herdsmen with the aim to determine the epidemiological pattern of brucellosis in cattle breeding herds across the five agricultural zones of Yobe State, North-eastern Nigeria. Brucella infection was reported in all agricultural zones of the state with overall sero-prevalence of 23.0%. The specific seroprevalence of 18.0% was obtained in the female and 5.0% in the male cattle tested. The age band 5 – 61⁄2 years recorded the highest (9.5%) specific sero-prevalence and the least 1.5% in age band 1 – 21⁄2 years. White Fulani (Bunaji) breed had the highest specific sero-prevalence of 10.0% and Adamawa Gudali with 2.0% was the least. The highest specific sero-prevalence 8.0% was obtained in Geidam zone, followed by Gashua 6.0%, Nguru 3.5%, Potiskum 3.0% and Damaturu 2.5%. There was no significant statistical association (P>0.05) between sex; age; breeds of the cattle studied as well as agricultural zones of the state and Brucella infection. Low level of education, low patronage of veterinary services and lack of vaccination against brucellosis were observed among the herdsmen. The study concluded that brucellosis is present in all agricultural zones of the state and higher among female than male cattle.