SURVEY OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS FOR BORELLIA SPECIES IN CHICKENS AND SOFT TICKS IN KATSINA AND KEBBI STATES, NIGERIA

SURVEY OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS FOR BORELLIA SPECIES IN CHICKENS AND SOFT TICKS IN KATSINA AND KEBBI STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract:

Borellia is a zoonotic bacterium that is pathogenic to most species of animals and birds which is transmitted mainly through tick bite. The bacterium and its vectors are present in Nigerian live bird markets (LBMs) but the prevalence of Borellia and level of LBMs tick colonization have not been established despite the report of human exposure to tick bites and cases of recurrent fever among Nigerians. This research is partly a prevalence study whereby LBMs in Katsina and Kebbi States within the North Western region of Nigeria were sampled. A survey was carried out in the LBMs to search for the presence of ticks,Borellia organisms in ticks and local breeds of chicken sold at the markets and risk factors associated with the presence of the bacterium. Eight LBMs were sampled across the two States, 5 in Katsina State and 3 in Kebbi State out of which 75% were colonized by soft ticks (Argas species) that were found in crevices of cages and tables. A total of 374 chickens and 54 ticks were examined for Borellia species, out of which 38 chickens (10.3%) were positive but none of the ticks sampled was found to harbour the bacteria. Majority of LBMs were located within conventional markets (85%) and there was a history of tick bite to human in 87.5% of the markets. All the markets were found to be operating under similar conditions which include processing of chickens manually without the use of hand gloves. Quarantine services, ante mortem inspection, post mortem inspection and health records were practically absent as well. Absence of tick control programmes and allowing chickens to stay in infested market overnight were found to be important in increasing the level of Borellia infection among chickens. Based on the findings authorities should enforce mandatory tick control and biosecurity programmes in all our LBMs for better marketing activities, food security and public health.

SURVEY OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS FOR BORELLIA SPECIES IN CHICKENS AND SOFT TICKS IN KATSINA AND KEBBI STATES, NIGERIA