Seroprevalence of Influenza A Virus in Dromedaries in North-Western Nigeria
Andrew M. Adamu,
Morgan Furlong,
Samson Ogunlade,
Alex A. Adikwu,
Annabel S. Anyang,
Arhyel Malgwi,
Adeiza M. Abdulrahman,
Nma A. Bida,
Olajide A. Owolodun,
Oyelola A. Adegboye
Affiliations
Andrew M. Adamu
Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Building 48, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Morgan Furlong
Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Building 48, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Samson Ogunlade
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Alex A. Adikwu
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi 970101, Nigeria
Annabel S. Anyang
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja 900105, Nigeria
Arhyel Malgwi
Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, African Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja 900105, Nigeria
Adeiza M. Abdulrahman
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja 900105, Nigeria
Nma A. Bida
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja 900105, Nigeria
Olajide A. Owolodun
Biotechnology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Nigeria
Oyelola A. Adegboye
Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Building 48, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
Although influenza A virus is endemic in wild waterfowl, domestic poultry, swine, humans, bats, cetaceans, dogs, and horses, there is a paucity of data on the potential role of camels in zoonotic transmission of the virus. To estimate the seroprevalence of the influenza A virus in camel populations, four local government areas of Nigeria that share an international border with the Niger Republic were selected. Blood samples from 184 one-hump camels (dromedaries) were collected and tested for influenza IgG antigen by ELISA. Each camel’s demographic variable, such as age, gender, location, production system, and usage, was recorded. The overall seroprevalence rate of influenza virus IgG in this study was 10.33% (95%CI: 6.33–15.66%). In the bivariate model, there was no significant difference in gender, age, site location and production system, except for usage. There was a significantly lower seroprevalence rate among camels used for labour (odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.10–0.97) than those used for meat consumption; however, not after adjusting for other variables in the model. Increase surveillance through early detection, prediction, and risk assessment of pathogens in animal reservoirs and environmental contamination as One Health strategies to reduce potential human spillover is recommended. Molecular epidemiology studies could better elucidate the role of camels in the dynamics of disease transmission pathways.
