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Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a viral poultry disease known worldwide for impacting the economy and food security. The disease is endemic in Nigeria, with reported outbreaks in vaccinated poultry flocks. To gain insight into the... more
Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a viral poultry disease known worldwide for impacting the economy and food security. The disease is endemic in Nigeria, with reported outbreaks in vaccinated poultry flocks. To gain insight into the dynamics of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) evolution in Nigeria, near-complete genomes of four IBDVs were evaluated. Amino acid sequences in the hypervariable region of the VP2 revealed conserved markers (222A, 242I, 256I, 294I and 299S), associated with very virulent (vv) IBDV, including the serine-rich heptapeptide motif (SWSASGS). Based on the newly proposed classification for segments A and B, the IBDVs clustered in the A3B5 group (where A3 are IBDVs with vvIBDV-like segment A and B5 are from non-vvIBDV-like segment B) forming a monophyletic subcluster. Unique amino acid mutations with yet-to-be-determined biological functions have been observed in both segments. Amino acid sequences of the Nigerian IBDVs showed that they are reassortant vir...
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Research Interests: Pathogen and Coronavirus
This study explores factors that motivate and also factors that hinder knowledge sharing among public health professionals in managing zoonotic diseases in Plateau State, Nigeria. A qualitative method using a case study research design... more
This study explores factors that motivate and also factors that hinder knowledge sharing among public health professionals in managing zoonotic diseases in Plateau State, Nigeria. A qualitative method using a case study research design was used for the study. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. The analysis was done using qualitative content analysis. Findings revealed that; Forum to share knowledge, Adequate funding, Professional ethics, Policy, and Organizational support constitutes major motivating factors for multidisciplinary knowledge sharing; while Professional dichotomy, Negative traits, Monodisciplinary training, Lack of policy, Lack of funds, and Leadership Issues are major hindrances to multidisciplinary knowledge sharing in managing zoonotic infections in Plateau State, Nigeria.The approach to multidisciplinary knowledge sharing will be positive when factors that motivate public health professionals are adequately in place;...
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Research Interests: HERD and papillomatosis
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COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease with devastating economic and public health impacts globally. Being a novel disease, current research is focused on a clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis and viable... more
COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease with devastating economic and public health impacts globally. Being a novel disease, current research is focused on a clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis and viable therapeutic strategies. Oxidative stress and inflammation are intertwined processes that play roles in disease progression and response to therapy via interference with multiple signaling pathways. The redox status of a host cell is an important factor in viral entry due to the unique conditions required for the conformational changes that ensure the binding and entry of a virus into the host cell. Upon entry into the airways, viral replication occurs and the innate immune system responds by activating macrophage and dendritic cells which contribute to inflammation. This review examines available literature and proposes mechanisms by which oxidative stress and inflammation could contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Further, certain antioxidants currently und...
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Covid-19 pandemic has hit many countries and put the majority of the public health system to test globally. Mandatory use of facemask was among policies set by the government to contain the spread of the novel disease. But citizens’... more
Covid-19 pandemic has hit many countries and put the majority of the public health system to test globally. Mandatory use of facemask was among policies set by the government to contain the spread of the novel disease. But citizens’ attitudes and compliance with these policies are important in controlling the pandemic. We assessed gender-based compliance to Covid-19 protocol (use of face mask) in Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria.
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Tetanus is a state of muscular contractions caused by infection of wounds with the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces toxins that affect the nervous system of both humans and animals. Although tetanus is rare in swine,... more
Tetanus is a state of muscular contractions caused by infection of wounds with the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces toxins that affect the nervous system of both humans and animals. Although tetanus is rare in swine, in this report, we examine two clinical cases of tetanus in a pig farming complex in Lagos, Nigeria. The diagnosis of tetanus in pigs was based on the combination of observed clinical signs, history of castration under non-sterile conditions and presence of animal dung in the environment. To prevent future occurrences of tetanus in pigs, we recommend that there should be improved biosecurity measures on pig farms and farmers should employ the services of veterinarians for health-related issues affecting their pigs, especially in handling cases that require surgical intervention. Keywords : Tetanus, pigs, castration, Nigeria
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Pigs have been associated with several episodes of influenza outbreaks in the past and are considered to play a significant role in the ecology of influenza virus. The recent 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus originated from swine and... more
Pigs have been associated with several episodes of influenza outbreaks in the past and are considered to play a significant role in the ecology of influenza virus. The recent 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus originated from swine and not only did it cause widespread infection in humans, but was also transmitted back to swine in Asia, Europe and America. What may be the prevailing situation in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with respect to the circulation of classical swine or pandemic influenza? The ecology of influenza viruses, as well as the epidemiology of human or animal influenza, is poorly understood in the region. In particular, little is known about swine influenza in Africa despite the relevance of this production in the continent and the widespread pig husbandry operations in urban and rural areas. In this review, the gap in the knowledge of classical and pandemic swine influenza is attributed to negligence of disease surveillance, as well as to the economic and public health impact that the disease may cause in sub-Saharan Africa. However, emerging serological and virological evidence of swine influenza virus in some countries in the region underscores the importance of integrated surveillance to better understand the circulation and epidemiology of swine influenza, a disease of global economic and public health importance.
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WHO declared pandemic of A/H1N1 influenza in 2009 following global spread of the newly emerged strain of the virus from swine. Presently there is a dearth of data on the ecology of pandemic influenza H1N1 required for planning of... more
WHO declared pandemic of A/H1N1 influenza in 2009 following global spread of the newly emerged strain of the virus from swine. Presently there is a dearth of data on the ecology of pandemic influenza H1N1 required for planning of intervention measures in sub Saharan Africa. Herein we report isolation of 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 in an intensive mega piggery farms operation in South West Nigeria. Sentinel surveillance was carried out in a cohort of intensively reared pigs over a period of two years. Nasal swab specimens were collected at monthly interval from observed clinical cases of influenza like illness in pigs and pig handlers. Samples were analyzed by real time RT-PCR and isolation in chicken embryonated eggs. A total of 227 clinical cases of influenza like illness were observed among pigs out of which 31 (13.7%) were positive for influenza A matrix gene by real time RT-PCR. Virus isolation yielded 29 (12%) isolates out of which 18 (18%) were identified as influenza A/H1N1 by Heamaglutination Inhibition test using H1 antisera. RT-PCR positive samples were subtyped as 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 with subtype specific primers and probes. This is the first report of detection and isolation of pandemic influenza H1N1 from pigs in Nigeria. Continuous circulation of this virus in pigs may cause reassortments with seasonal influenza or mutations and substitutions in the gene that may result in the emergence of novel or pandemic influenza virus of economic and public health importance. Nigeria is considered a geographical hotspot of zoonotic diseases, which necessitate active surveillance and monitoring of emerging pandemic threats.
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Phylogenetic analyses of the complete genomes of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) 2.3.2.1c H5N1 virus strains causing outbreaks in Nigeria's poultry population from 2014 to 2016 showed evidence of distinct co-circulating... more
Phylogenetic analyses of the complete genomes of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) 2.3.2.1c H5N1 virus strains causing outbreaks in Nigeria's poultry population from 2014 to 2016 showed evidence of distinct co-circulating genotypes and the emergence of reassortant viruses. One of these reassortants became the predominant strain by 2016, and the NA protein of this strain possessed the V96A substitution known to confer reduced susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibiting antiviral drugs. Our findings also demonstrated evolutionary relationships between Nigerian isolates and European and Middle Eastern strains of H5N1 which provides further evidence for the proposed role of migratory birds in spreading the virus, although the involvement of the live poultry trade cannot be excluded. Efforts must be directed towards improving biosecurity and gaining the cooperation of poultry farmers for more effective control of HPAI, in order to mitigate the emergence of HPAI strains in N...
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The 2013-2015 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa had similar nuances with the 1976 outbreaks in Central Africa; both were caused by the Zaire Ebola Virus strain and originated from rural forested communities. The definitive... more
The 2013-2015 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa had similar nuances with the 1976 outbreaks in Central Africa; both were caused by the Zaire Ebola Virus strain and originated from rural forested communities. The definitive reservoir host of Ebola virus still remains unknown till date. However, from ecological perspective, it is known that the virus first emerged from forest ecotypes interfacing with human activities. As at March 2015, the outbreak has claimed over 9000 lives, which is unprecedented. Though it remains unproved, the primary sources of infection for past and present outbreaks are forest dwelling, human-hunted fauna. Understanding the ecological factors at play in these forest ecotypes where wild fauna interface with human and causing pathogen spill over is important. A broad based One Health approach incorporating these ecological concepts in the control of Ebola Virus Disease can effectively ameliorate or forestall infection now and in the future.
The haemagglutination binding pattern of some Nigerian isolates of HPAI H5N1 to selected erythrocytes of mammalian and avian origin was investigated. Fifteen isolates of the virus from 8 states in Nigeria were tested using rapid... more
The haemagglutination binding pattern of some Nigerian isolates of HPAI H5N1 to selected erythrocytes of mammalian and avian origin was investigated. Fifteen isolates of the virus from 8 states in Nigeria were tested using rapid haemagglutination (RHA) test against five mammalian and five avian erythrocytes. Erythrocytes of human, dog, chicken, turkey, quail, geese and duck were agglutinated by all the isolates while cow and horse erythrocytes were agglutinated by 14 of the isolates. On the contrary, none of the isolates agglutinated pig erythrocytes. Further investigation with erythrocytes from 4 different breeds of pigs showed similar pattern of non-agglutination. This work shows that pig erythrocytes has poor or no affinity for Nigerian isolates of HPAI which may suggest low expression or lack of receptors for HPAI in this species. Further work is required to determine the molecular basis for this variation
The advent of HPAI in Nigeria was a traumatic experience for the poultry industry. Wealth and resources were lost to the ravages of the virus. The Government of Nigeria with the support of International donor agencies came up with a... more
The advent of HPAI in Nigeria was a traumatic experience for the poultry industry. Wealth and resources were lost to the ravages of the virus. The Government of Nigeria with the support of International donor agencies came up with a policy for the prevention of spread of the disease leading to the eventual control and eradication of the virus in Nigeria. The various measures implemented in the control of the outbreaks, and their effects on eradication of the virus in the country are highlighted. Using combined data from passive and active surveillance for HPAI in poultry farms, wetlands and live bird markets in Nigeria during 2006 - 2009, with laboratory diagnostic findings, we describe the characteristics of the control strategies implemented. The control measures include immediate reports of suspected outbreaks, prompt laboratory confirmation and rapid modified stamping out with compensations paid to affected farmers. Decontamination of infected farm premises, re-organization of l...
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To monitor carrier hosts of avian influenza in Nigeria, we randomly collected cloaca swab specimens from 155 ducks at a live bird market (LBM) in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, between July 2011 and July 2012. The samples were analyzed by... more
To monitor carrier hosts of avian influenza in Nigeria, we randomly collected cloaca swab specimens from 155 ducks at a live bird market (LBM) in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, between July 2011 and July 2012. The samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus isolation was carried out in embryonated chicken eggs. Partial sequencing of the antigenic cleavage site of the haemagglutinin (HA) gene was performed, multiple sequence alignment was carried out using ClustalW, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor joining method. Twenty (13%) of the 155 samples were positive for avian influenza subtype H5N2 by real-time RT-PCR and three isolates were obtained from embryonated chicken eggs. Partial sequencing of the amino acid cleavage site of the HA genes of two isolates corresponded to a PQRETGL*F sequence that is common in low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Phylogenetically, the HA genes of the two influenza viruses are monophyletic and clustered with H5N2 viruses detected in wild ducks from Africa. The occurrence of LPAI in domestic ducks in Nigeria underscores the importance of continuous surveillance and monitoring of the virus (in a country that is considered to be free of avian influenza) in order to prevent the emergence of virulent strains that may spread to commercial poultry and humans.
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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a vector-borne viral hemorrhagic disease with global clinical significance. Certain species of ticks are vectors of CCHF, which can be transmitted from animals to humans and humans to humans by... more
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a vector-borne viral hemorrhagic disease with global clinical significance. Certain species of ticks are vectors of CCHF, which can be transmitted from animals to humans and humans to humans by direct exposure to blood or other body fluids. The zoonotic transmission at the human–animal interface from viremic animal hosts to humans is a public health concern with a paucity of data in Nigeria. Samples from 184 pastoral cattle from three local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau state, Nigeria, were screened for CCHF virus using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ID Screen® CCHF Double Antigen for Multi-Species). Overall seropositivity of 30.4% (n = 56) (95% CI: 23.88%, 37.63%) was recorded from the study areas in Plateau State, while 48/126 (38.1%, 95% CI: 29.59%, 47.17%) sampled cows tested positive for CCHFV antibodies. Seropositivity was significantly higher (p < 0.001) among older cattle greater than two years, 54.69% (95% C...
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Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease that can adversely affect humans and animals. Nigeria first reported an outbreak of avian influenza which was caused by subtype H5N1 in 2006, thereafter virological and serological surveys revealed... more
Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease that can adversely affect humans and animals. Nigeria first reported an outbreak of avian influenza which was caused by subtype H5N1 in 2006, thereafter virological and serological surveys revealed the importance of local birds in live bird markets and the community at large in the epidemiology of avian influenza in the country. In the present study, 276 serum samples were collected for serological testing over five months from apparently healthy local birds in live bird markets within two Local Government Areas of Plateau State, to determine antibody prevalence to avian influenza A virus. The detection of influenza A antibody was carried out using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further tested by haemagglutination inhibition to determine the specific serotype of the influenza A virus. The result showed a prevalence of 30.4% (n=84) of antibody to influenza A, 26% (n=72) of serotype H9, 1.4% (n=4) of serotype H7, and none was confirmed t...
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The increasing outbreak of zoonotic diseases presents challenging times for nations and calls for a renewed effort to disrupt the chain of events that precede it. Nigeria’s response to the 2006 bird flu provided a platform for outbreak... more
The increasing outbreak of zoonotic diseases presents challenging times for nations and calls for a renewed effort to disrupt the chain of events that precede it. Nigeria’s response to the 2006 bird flu provided a platform for outbreak response, yet it was not its first experience with Influenza. This study describes the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Influenza surveillance and, conversely, while the 1918 Influenza pandemic remains the most devastating (500,000 deaths in 18 million population) in Nigeria, the emergence of SARS CoV-2 presented renewed opportunities for the development of vaccines with novel technology, co-infection studies outcome, and challenges globally. Although the public health Intervention and strategies left some positive outcomes for other viruses, Nigeria and Africa’s preparation against the next pandemic may involve prioritizing a combination of technology, socioeconomic growth, and active surveillance in the spirit of One Health.
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Avian influenza viruses of the H9 subtype cause significant losses to poultry production in endemic regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and pose a risk to human health. The availability of reliable and updated diagnostic tools for... more
Avian influenza viruses of the H9 subtype cause significant losses to poultry production in endemic regions of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and pose a risk to human health. The availability of reliable and updated diagnostic tools for H9 surveillance is thus paramount to ensure the prompt identification of this subtype. The genetic variability of H9 represents a challenge for molecular-based diagnostic methods and was the cause for suboptimal detection and false negatives during routine diagnostic monitoring. Starting from a dataset of sequences related to viruses of different origins and clades (Y439, Y280, G1), a bioinformatics workflow was optimized to extract relevant sequence data preparatory for oligonucleotides design. Analytical and diagnostic performances were assessed according to the OIE standards. To facilitate assay deployment, amplification conditions were optimized with different nucleic extraction systems and amplification kits. Performance of the new real-time R...
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July 2008, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 virus infection in poultry negatively affected animal and public health as well as the agricultural sector and trade. These outbreaks were caused by viruses... more
July 2008, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 virus infection in poultry negatively affected animal and public health as well as the agricultural sector and trade. These outbreaks were caused by viruses belonging to genetic clades 2.2 and 2.2.1 (1). In January 2015, seven years after disappearance of the virus, clini-cal signs of HPAI (swollen head and wattles, hemorrhagic shank and feet) and increased mortality rates were observed among backyard poultry in Kano and in a live bird market in Lagos State, Nigeria. The virus was isolated from 2 sam-ples independently collected from the poultry farm (par-enchymatous tissues) and the market (tracheal swab), and H5 subtype virus was identified by reverse transcription PCR. The samples were adsorbed onto 2 Flinders Technol-ogy Associates cards (GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Little
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Research Interests: Agriculture, Nigeria, Medicine, Humans, Birds, and 3 moreAnimals, Poultry, and Population surveillance
Reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is used worldwide to test and trace the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). “Extraction-less” or “direct” real time–reverse... more
Reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is used worldwide to test and trace the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). “Extraction-less” or “direct” real time–reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is an open-access qualitative method for SARS-CoV-2 detection from nasopharyngeal or oral pharyngeal samples with the potential to generate actionable data more quickly, at a lower cost, and with fewer experimental resources than full RT-qPCR. This study engaged 10 global testing sites, including laboratories currently experiencing testing limitations due to reagent or equipment shortages, in an international interlaboratory ring trial. Participating laboratories were provided a common protocol, common reagents, aliquots of identical pooled clinical samples, and purified nucleic acids and used their existing in-house equipment. We observed 100% concordance across laboratories in the correct identification of...
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The haemagglutination binding pattern of some Nigerian isolates of HPAI H5N1 to selected erythrocytes of mammalian and avian origin was investigated. Fifteen isolates of the virus from 8 states in Nigeria were tested using rapid... more
The haemagglutination binding pattern of some Nigerian isolates of HPAI H5N1 to selected erythrocytes of mammalian and avian origin was investigated. Fifteen isolates of the virus from 8 states in Nigeria were tested using rapid haemagglutination (RHA) test against five mammalian and five avian erythrocytes. Erythrocytes of human, dog, chicken, turkey, quail, geese and duck were agglutinated by all the isolates while cow and horse erythrocytes were agglutinated by 14 of the isolates. On the contrary, none of the isolates agglutinated pig erythrocytes. Further investigation with erythrocytes from 4 different breeds of pigs showed similar pattern of non-agglutination. This work shows that pig erythrocytes has poor or no affinity for Nigerian isolates of HPAI which may suggest low expression or lack of receptors for HPAI in this species. Further work is required to determine the molecular basis for this variation
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Application of ethnoveterinary medicine in the control of poultry diseases is being embraced in many parts of the world for more profitable production. This study investigated the antiviral property of the root-bark extract of the African... more
Application of ethnoveterinary medicine in the control of poultry diseases is being embraced in many parts of the world for more profitable production. This study investigated the antiviral property of the root-bark extract of the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata Lin) against Newcastle disease virus. One hundred and seventy five specific antibody negative embryonated chicken eggs and a field strain of Newcastle disease virus were used to test for the antiviral activity of the methanolic root bark extract of the tree. Following a 2-h exposure of the virus to eight graded concentrations of the extract, it was incubated at 37°C and observed 12-hourly for mortality. Dead embryos were spot tested for haemagglutinating activity. The 100EID 50 concentration of the virus and the highest concentration of the extract were inoculated as positive and negative controls, respectively. All eggs inoculated with the virus alone as well as 5 and 2 mg/ml extract/virus suspensions, died by 72 h ...
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Fowl pox is a viral disease of domestic and wild birds. The large size of the genome makes it a useful vector for recombinant DNA technology. Although the disease has been described in both commercial and indigenous chickens in Nigeria,... more
Fowl pox is a viral disease of domestic and wild birds. The large size of the genome makes it a useful vector for recombinant DNA technology. Although the disease has been described in both commercial and indigenous chickens in Nigeria, data are limited on seroprevalence in free range chickens. Such data are, however, important in the design and implementation of fowl pox virus vector vaccine. We surveyed current antibody status to fowl pox virus in free range chickens by testing 229 sera collected from 10 villages in Jos North and Jos South LGA of Plateau State Nigeria. Sera were analyzed by AGID against standard fowl pox antigen. Fifty-two of the 229 (23%) tested sera were positive for fowl pox virus antibody, and the log titre in all positive specimen was . Thirty (21%) and twenty-two (27%) of the samples from Jos South and Jos North, respectively, tested positive. This was, however, not statistically significant (). Generally the study showed a significant level of antibody to f...