Avian influenza (H5 subtype) antibodies in village chickens in four local government areas of Kaduna state

Aim: Biosecurity measures are rarely implemented in traditional farming systems especially in the villages. Given the importance of the village chickens as a source of income for rural families and its public health concern due to the frequent contact that exist between these birds and humans a study was conducted to assess the presence of antibodies to the H5 avian influenza virus subtype in village chickens in some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State. Materials and Methods: A total of 480 sera samples were obtained from apparently healthy local chickens in five LGAs where the avian influenza outbreak has not been reported. The sera were subjected to the Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using the H5N2 avian influenza antigen. Results: An overall prevalence of 2.9% with an individual seroprevalence of 10%, 0.8%, 4.1% and 3.3% in Jaba, Jemma'a, Kaura and Zango Kataf local government areas respectively. There was no association between presence of pigs and detection of avian influenza antibodies, p=0.8723, OR 0.9153 (95% CI: 0.3108–2.695), but there was an association between presence of water birds (Gesse and Ducks) and detection of avian influenza antibodies, p= 0.0203, OR 3.488 (95% CI: 1.146–10.61). Conclusions: This result highlights the important role apparently healthy village chickens may play in virus perpetuation (reservoir) and in the spread of avian influenza to other animals and humans. An enhanced and sustained virological surveillance for the virus in village chickens was recommended.