title: Avian influenza virus infection in apparently healthy domestic birds in Sokoto, Nigeria.
abstract: The study was conducted among apparently healthy birds brought from different local government areas, neighbouring states and across international boundaries to the Sokoto central live bird market between October 2008 and March 2009. Tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected from 221 apparently healthy birds comprising 182 chickens, 3 turkeys, 11 guineafowl, 17 ducks and 8 pigeons. These samples were analysed using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to check for the presence of avian influenza virus. An overall prevalence of 1.4% (3 positive cases) was detected with two cases observed in chickens and one in a pigeon. The findings indicate the circulation of avian influenza in the study area. This raises concern for human and animal health due to zoonotic and economic implications of this virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2254, Sokoto, Nigeria. kinginnoma@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Innocent Okwundu
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Nwankwo
authors.forename: Olufemi Oladayo
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Faleke
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000821:virology*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D001717:Birds; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009549:Nigeria