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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.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 8 million new cases and 3 million deaths in humans due to the disease each year. A retrospective abattoir study of bovine tuberculosis in Gombe Township Abattoir in Northeastern Nigeria was carried out from 2008 to 2015 using the abattoir records. Out of 154,562 slaughtered heads of cattle examined at postmortem, 1202(0.78%) had typical tuberculous lesions and overall total prevalence rate of 0.78%. The annual prevalence was significantly higher in 2015(1.04%) with the lowest records in 2011(0.34%). The annual prevalence rate showed intermittent increase in levels above the expected prevalence and there was a statistically significant difference in the relative annual prevalence rate of the disease in the abattoir. The distribution and occurrence of the disease in rainy season were higher than that in the dry season. The disease also appeared to be more prevalent in the rainy season 792(65.90%) compared with the dry season 410(34.10%) and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 15.45, p

Objective: To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella isolates in the mesenteric lymph nodes of apparently healthy slaughtered food animals at Maiduguri central abattoir, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 154 lymph nodes (cattle-54, camel-22, sheep-12, goats-66) were collected from slaughtered animals and analysed using standard microbiological and biochemical methods. Results: An overall prevalence of 39.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.3–46.7] was obtained. The prevalence rate across studied species ranged from 24.2% (95% CI: 13.9–34.5) in goats to 61.1% (95% CI: 48.1–74.1) in cattle. There was statistically significant association between Salmonella infection and species of food animals (P < 0.05). Males had a high prevalence of 44.7% (95% CI: 28.9–60.5) as compared with females (37.1%; 95% CI: 28.3– 45.9) (P > 0.05). Younger animals had slightly higher prevalence (44.0%; 95% CI: 24.5–63.5) compared with adults (38.0%; 95% CI: 29.6–46.4) (P > 0.05). All isolates showed marked susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Whereas, high resistance patterns to ampicillin, kanamycin and streptomycin, and moderate resistance patterns to kanamycin and tetracycline were observed from camels. Conclusions: Salmonella is high in the mesenteric lymph nodes of apparently healthy slaughtered food animals in Maiduguri. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies should be carried out to identify the serotypes and phage typing of the isolates, and hazard analysis and critical control point should be applied in handling of meat and meat products to avoid the risk of foodborne salmonellosis as well as appropriate use of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin in food animals.

Formal systems of inquiry are of limited value when working with rural communities in developing countries. The current research used alternative systems of inquiry and learning that involved applying participatory epidemiology (PE) techniques to collect veterinary information about Newcastle disease (ND) in rural areas. Results indicated that poultry constituted the largest proportion (42.4%) of livestock species kept, and the poultry diseases that local farmers callbingiri, ciwon-sufe,dankanoman-kaji, dangari, andgurdumu are consistent with modern veterinary knowledge of Newcastle disease, respiratory disease, coccidiosis, fowl pox, and ectoparasitism, respectively.Tsuwen zaki (lion's testicle;Cucumuis pustulatus) andgarafuni (balsam pear;Momordica balsamina) are traditional remedies used to prevent Newcastle disease. Local farmers are knowledgeable about common disease that affect their poultry; they have good diagnostic abilities and can recognize clinical signs. There should be improved veterinary outreach to share some of this information via active community participation, and PE should be incorporated into state and national disease surveillance systems.

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the bark of Khaya senegalensis were screened for their phytochemical constituents and preliminary antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the plant on the tested organisms was determined using multiple tubes method.Alkaloids, anthraquinones, glycosides, tannins and steroids were detected in both extracts.The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plant showed antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and E. coli, with the aqueous extracts having more activity than those of ethanol. However the growth of P. mirabilis was not inhibited by either of the extracts. The MIC value was determined to be 50 mg/ml for B. subtilis and E. coli. The results are suggestive of considerable antibacterial activity of K. senegalensis and may justify its use in the treatment of bacterial diseases by herbalists or traditional healers.

Some reproductive disorders in poultry which include peritonitis, salpingitis and impaction of oviduct are described as ‘egg peritonitis\' (Jordan, 1990). Egg peritonitis can occur as a severe flock problem and when it does it is usually associated with poor management (Jordan, 1990). Flock egg peritonitis outbreaks are often accompanied by cannibalism and vent pecking. Multiple etiologic factors have been ascribed to egg peritonitis problem. However, Escherichia coli is often incriminated as one of the etiologic agents of egg peritonitis (Hofstad et al., 1984) colibacillosis, coligranuloma, Hjarre\'s disease, salphangitis, synovitis, omphilitis and air sac disease in pre- and- laying hens. Other organisms frequently involved are Staphylococci and Streptococci spp (Jordan, 1990). Egg peritonitis and related effects are responsible for major economic losses to poultry industry (Hofstad et al., 1984). Economic losses resulting from mortality and egg losses were recorded in the flock under consideration. These were due to egg peritonitis, impaction and mortality in laying hens which were otherwise in good bodily condition and had full crops. The mortality was sudden with no premonitory signs except when accompanied by cannibalism and vent pecking. In this article clinico-pathological report on egg peritonitis and impaction in flock of commercial laying hens is presented and assessment of causal factors and control measures are highlighted. Keywords : Egg peritonitis, Colisepticemia, Vent pecking, E. coli , Laying hens Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (3) 2007 pp. 56-58

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.