SEROPREVALENCE OF AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS VIRUS IN HORSES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
SEROPREVALENCE OF AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS VIRUS IN HORSES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2014-02-10
Authors
MSHELIA, WAYUTA PHILIP
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Abstract
A study was conducted in the seven Local Government Areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria to
determine the prevalence and the various horse management and environmental factors
associated with AHS viral infection in horses in Kaduna state using I-ELISA test. A total of
183 horses in 50 stables were used in the study. Out of the 110 of the non vaccinated horses
sampled 102 (92.7%) were seropositive. There was a significant difference (P< 0.05) in
serum titre value of the horses tested with regards to breeds, sex, use of horses, and
vaccination status. While there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the different
ages of horses studied. The high titre levels as seen in this study could indicate that the horses
might have long standing infection since I-ELISA detects Ig G. The high titre value could
also mean that AHS may be endemic in the study area. The endemicity could be as a result of
the presence of the insect vectors due to the favourable conditions that make these vectors to
survive optimally as shown in the study. The husbandry practices as practiced by the stables
seemed to be adequate, though disease prevention and control practices were found to be
inadequate as to prevent the presence of the vectors, let alone control them. The stable
managers and grooms had close working relations with their consulting veterinarians as many
of the stables reported vaccinating their horses. Six of the consulting veterinarians to these
stables reported experiencing outbreaks of AHS. The study has showed that the AHS virus
seems to be circulating among horses in the study area as non-vaccinated horses were
seropositive with titres as high as 243 even in the presence of a seemingly adequate
husbandry and management practices.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER
OF SCIENCE IN EQUINE MEDICINE
Keywords
SEROPREVALENCE, AFRICAN, HORSE, SICKNESS, VIRUS, HORSES, KADUNA, STATE, NIGERIA