Aim: Chicken infectious anaemia (CIA), a viral disease affecting poultry, poses significant economic challenges to the poultry industry due to its impact on flock health and productivity. This study investigated the seroprevalence of CIA virus (CIAV) antibodies in poultry populations within Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 176 chickens, comprising local and commercial breeds, were sampled from live bird markets (LBMs) between February and May 2023, with 87 chickens from Jos North, and 89 from Jos South. Blood was collected from each bird without anticoagulant, and serum was harvested. The serum was tested for CIAV antibodies using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Results revealed an overall seroprevalence rate of 68.2%, with 51.7% of chickens from Jos North and 84.3% from Jos South. Seropositivity rates differed significantly between Jos North and South (P < 0.05), suggesting spatial heterogeneity in CIAV prevalence. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the seropositivity between local (75.0%) and commercial (61.4%) chickens. Based on the regions, a significant (P < 0.05) difference in seroprevalence between local and commercial chickens was found only in Jos South.
Conclusion: The observed regional variations in CIAV seroprevalence underscore the need for targeted surveillance and control measures within the poultry industry. This is to mitigate the spread of the virus, and safeguard poultry health and economic stability in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Therefore, there is need for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for the differential susceptibility among chicken populations, and to inform targeted intervention strategies.
Key words: chicken infectious anaemia, seroprevalence, chickens, Jos
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