Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
(ISSN: 2659 – 0743)
Volume 2, No. 1, 2020
Pages 70-76
DOI: 10.36108/jvbs/9102.20.0180
Epidemiology of Q – Fever in Flocks of Sheep in Yobe State, Nigeria
Adamu S. G. 1*, Tijani A. O. 1, Adamu N. B. 1, Atsanda N. N. 1, Dauda J.1 and Lawan F. A. 2
1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria
2Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Q-fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium. A cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Q-fever in flocks of sheep in Yobe State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the animals. A total of 420 blood samples from sheep of various ages were tested from April, 2018 to July, 2018 for Q-fever using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Out of the 420 sera tested 49 (11.7%) were seeropositive for Q fever. Of the 315 females sheep tested, 39 (12.4%) were seropositive and out of 105 male sheep tested, 10 (9.5%) were seropositive. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the sex of sheep tested for Q fever. The seroprevalence was higher in animals greater than 2 years 41 (12.1%) than in animals less than 2 years 8 (9.8%). There were no significant associations between age and infection with Q-fever even though that animal greater than 2 years showed higher prevalence than those less than 2 years. The highest seroprevalence 22 (12.3%) was recorded in Yankasa sheep, and the least seroprevalence 8(9.9%) was recorded in Uda. The seroprevalence of 19 (13.6%), 16 (11.4%) and 14 (10.0%) were recorded in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua zones respectively. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the breed and location of the animals tested for Q fever infection. This study concludes that Q-fever is endemic in sheep in Yobe State. Enlightenment campaign is recommended to educate the livestock farmers, herders and the general public on the dangers of Q-fever infection. There is need for large scale epidemiological investigation of the disease in other livestock farms in the state.
Keywords: Epidemiology, Q-Fever, Sheep, Sero-prevalence, Yobe