Investigating Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus seropositivity in camels and human behavioural risks in an abattoir in Nigeria.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging viral pathogen with pandemic potential that is often misdiagnosed. Case fatality in low-resource settings could be up to 40% due to close contact between animals and humans. A two-year cross-sectional study was conducted in Fagge abattoir, Kano State, Nigeria, to estimate the seropositivity of CCHFV in camels using a commercial multi-species competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A closed-ended questionnaire was administered to the abattoir workers to assess their awareness, mitigation, and behavioural practices associated with CCHF. Of the 184 camels tested, 179 (97%) were seropositive for CCHFV (95% confidence interval (CI): 93.77, 99.11). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of respondents was 41 (35-52), with 62% having no education. Respondents had little knowledge about CCHFV and the concept of zoonotic disease. In this study, the high estimated prevalence of antibodies to CCHFV in camels highlights the heightened risk of transmission of CCHFV in Nigeria. Similarly, a concerning lack of knowledge and inadequate preventive practices, alongside a prevalence of high-risk behaviours associated with CCHF among abattoir workers, were noted in this study. Thus, there is an urgent need for comprehensive public health education and collaborative One Health strategies to avert the threats of spillover events.

Histopathological and health risk assessment of heavy metals in the straw-colored fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, in Nigeria.

There is heightening concern regarding heavy metals environmental pollution requiring renewed global attention because of their bioaccumulation and toxicity at varying levels. The concern is most important in the highly migratory Eidolon helvum (E. helvum) that is very common and traverses wide geographical areas within the sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aimed to evaluate levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) bioaccumulation in 24 E. helvum of both sexes from Nigeria to assess their indirect health risks to the human consumers of the bats in addition to their direct bioaccumulation and toxic damages in the bats themselves based on standard procedures. Lead, Zn, and Cd bioaccumulation concentrations were 2.83 ± 0.35, 0.42 ± 0.03, and 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively, with significant (p < 0.05) Pb bioaccumulation compared to either Cd or Zn in the affected bats. However, only Pb (markedly) and Cd (marginally) bioaccumulated above small mammals' critical threshold levels as there are no existing established threshold levels for bats. Sex played no major role in their bioaccumulation levels. The bioaccumulation levels posed no life-long non-carcinogenic nor carcinogenic risks to the human consumers of the bats at detected concentrations. The observed lungs, liver, and kidney histopathological changes suggested the possible direct effects of the metals in the bats. Nevertheless, other anthropogenic factors might be responsible as no significant (p > 0.05) correlation existed between cellular changes and the bioaccumulation levels. The presence of the heavy metals and their bioaccumulations above critical threshold levels suggested some levels of environmental contamination and pollution, which might have direct and indirect health implications to the bats and their human consumers.

Enteropathogenic viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis among African children under 5 years of age: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gastroenteritis viruses are the leading etiologic agents of diarrhea in children worldwide. We present data from thirty-three (33) eligible studies published between 2003 and 2023 from African countries bearing the brunt of the virus-associated diarrheal mortality. Random effects meta-analysis with proportion, subgroups, and meta-regression analyses were employed. Overall, rotavirus with estimated pooled prevalence of 31.0 % (95 % CI 24.0-39.0) predominated in all primary care visits and hospitalizations, followed by norovirus, adenovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus, and aichivirus with pooled prevalence estimated at 15.0 % (95 % CI 12.0-20.0), 10 % (95 % CI 6-15), 4.0 % (95 % CI 2.0-6.0), 4 % (95 % CI 3-6), and 2.3 % (95 % CI 1-3), respectively. Predominant rotavirus genotype was G1P[8] (39 %), followed by G3P[8] (11.7 %), G9P[8] (8.7 %), and G2P[4] (7.1 %); although, unusual genotypes were also observed, including G3P[6] (2.7 %), G8P[6] (1.7 %), G1P[6] (1.5 %), G10P[8] (0.9 %), G8P[4] (0.5 %), and G4P[8] (0.4 %). The genogroup II norovirus predominated over the genogroup I-associated infections (84.6 %, 613/725 vs 14.9 %, 108/725), with the GII.4 (79.3 %) being the most prevalent circulating genotype. In conclusion, this review showed that rotavirus remains the leading driver of viral diarrhea requiring health care visits and hospitalization among under-five years children in Africa. Thus, improved rotavirus vaccination in the region and surveillance to determine the residual burden of rotavirus and the evolving trend of other enteric viruses are needed for effective control and management of cases.

Noroviruses: Evolutionary Dynamics, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Vaccine Advances-A Comprehensive Review.

Noroviruses constitute a significant aetiology of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis in human hosts worldwide, especially among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. The low infectious dose of the virus, protracted shedding in faeces, and the ability to persist in the environment promote viral transmission in different socioeconomic settings. Considering the substantial disease burden across healthcare and community settings and the difficulty in controlling the disease, we review aspects related to current knowledge about norovirus biology, mechanisms driving the evolutionary trends, epidemiology and molecular diversity, pathogenic mechanism, and immunity to viral infection. Additionally, we discuss the reservoir hosts, intra-inter host dynamics, and potential eco-evolutionary significance. Finally, we review norovirus vaccines in the development pipeline and further discuss the various host and pathogen factors that may complicate vaccine development.

Antimicrobial usage and associated residues and resistance emergence in smallholder beef cattle production systems in Nigeria: A One Health challenge.

Livestock intensification has facilitated antimicrobial use (AMU) with consequent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. We assessed AMU in beef farms, pathways for residues and resistance dissemination to humans, risk status, residues identification, and drivers for antimicrobial residues and resistance emergence in beef cattle production systems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in randomly selected beef farms of Northern Nigeria, between 2018 and 2019. Traffic Light model and Disc Diffusion Test were used to assess risk status and determined residues, respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models at 95% confidence level. About 92% (n = 608) farmers participated. The majority of farmers managing intensive (78.9%) and semi-intensive (76.6%) farms did not follow antimicrobial dosage instructions. Also, 72.4% and 83.9% of the farmers on intensive and semi-intensive systems, respectively, did not observed withdrawal periods after AMU. Furthermore, 71.5% farmers in intensive and 53.2% in semi-intensive farms used antimicrobials as growth promoters. Antimicrobials frequently used include tetracyclines, sulfonamides and penicillin. Antimicrobial residues and resistance dissemination pathways from beef herds were: consumption of contaminated meat with residues (p = 0.007); contacts with contaminated cattle and fomites (p < 0.001); and contaminated manure and aerosols in farm environment (p = 0.003). Significant drivers of residues and resistance emergence were antimicrobial misuse and overuse (OR = 2.72; 95% CI:1.93-3.83), non-enforcement of laws (OR = 2.98; 95% CI:2.11-4.21), poor education and expertise (OR = 1.52; 95% CI:1.09-2.12), and husbandry management system (OR = 10.24; 95% CI:6.75-15.54). The majority of intensive (63.6%) and semi-intensive (57.63%) farm systems belonged to Class 3 (Red risk) status. Antimicrobial residues were detected in 48.4% intensively and 34.4% semi-intensively managed farms. The study revealed poor practices of AMU in beef cattle production. Many factors were found to influenced antimicrobial residues and resistance occurrence and dissemination. A 'One Health' approach mitigation with adequate sanitation, hygiene, and good biosecurity measures will assure food safety, public and environmental health.

West Nile virus neutralizing antibody prevalence in donkeys from northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anti-West Nile virus (WNV) neutralizing antibodies in donkeys from two areas in northern Nigeria. METHODS: Serology was determined by a virus neutralization test in samples collected from 205 healthy adult donkeys. RESULTS: Fifty-seven donkeys (27.8%) tested seropositive for WNV. Donkeys from Zaria were 2.6 times more likely to have been exposed to WNV (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that this zoonotic pathogen is prevalent in these areas and that measures should be implemented to reduce the risk for both humans and equids.

Risk factors for Rift Valley fever virus seropositivity in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) and pastoralist knowledge and practices in Northern Nigeria.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a complex emerging arboviral hemorrhagic disease that causes significant illness in animals and humans. Camel trade across the land borders between Nigeria and the Niger Republic occurs frequently and poses a significant risk for RVF transmission to pastoralists and traders. We carried a cross-sectional study between November 2016 and April 2017 in two northern States (Katsina and Jigawa) known for camel trade in Nigeria to investigate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors for RVFV occurrence. We collected 720 sera and administered questionnaire to pastoralists. We used the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) to determine the previous exposure to RVFV infection. We retrieved  environmental information from public data sources that might explain RVFV seropositivity at  the LGA level. To asses potential risk factors,we categorized LGAs with RVFV as "1" and those without a case" 0". We fitted a logistic model to the data  and estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. An overall 19.9% prevalence was reported among camel herd-the highest seropositivity (33.3%) was recorded in SuleTankarkar LGA. In the multivariable model, only rain-fed croplands was significantly associated with RVFV antibodies occurrence p = 0.048 (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99). Only a minority of the respondents, 19.3% (n = 17/88), knew that RVF is zoonotic. Separation of healthy animals from the infected animals was carried out by 53.4% (47/88) pastoralists while 59.1% (52/88) pastoralists still use ethnoveterinary practices to control or mitigate disease outbreaks. Our study demonstrates the presence of RVFV antibodies among camel in Nigeria and the associated risk factors. These findings highlight the need for enhancing surveillance and control efforts and the public health education of camel pastoralists. Further investigation to unravel the zoonotic transmission potential to pastoralists and other animal species is pertinent.