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Live pig markets are hotspots for spread of African swine fever virus in Nigeria
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  • Adeyinka Adedeji,
  • Rebecca Atai,
  • Helen E. Gyang,
  • Panzam Gambo,
  • Maimuna A. Habib,
  • R. Weka,
  • Muwanika V.B.,
  • Charles Masembe,
  • Pam Luka
Adeyinka Adedeji
National Veterinary Research Institute

Corresponding Author:yinkadeji@yahoo.com

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Rebecca Atai
National Veterinary Research Institute
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Helen E. Gyang
National Veterinary Research Institute
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Panzam Gambo
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
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Maimuna A. Habib
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
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R. Weka
National Veterinary Research Institute
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Muwanika V.B.
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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Charles Masembe
Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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Pam Luka
National Veterinary Research Institute
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Abstract

Livestock trading through live animal markets are potential pathways for the introduction and spread of economically important pathogens like the African swine fever virus (ASFV) to new areas in several countries. Due to the high demand for live pigs in Nigeria both for restocking and slaughter, live pigs are sold at designated live pig markets (LPM) in the country. This involves movement of pigs over long distances. Despite, reports of ASF outbreaks following restocking of pigs bought from LPMs, there is paucity of information on the role of LPMs in the epidemiology of ASF. In this study, data and pig samples (whole blood, sera, tissue) were collected from 4 selected LPMs in Nigeria (Dawaki, Katsit, Numan & Pandam) between 2019 and 2020. Samples were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Four genes of ASFV positive samples were characterized to identify the circulating genotypes. Results revealed trade activities involving transportation of pigs from these selected markets to 42 major cities and towns in thirteen (13) States of Nigeria. PCR results revealed an overall ASF prevalence of 10.77% (66/613). ASFV was confirmed by PCR in all the selected LPMs with a prevalence rate of 3.13%-23.81%. The phylogeny revealed genotype I and serogroup 4 based on the p72 protein that encodes the B646L gene and the EP402R gene encoding the CD2V. While sequence analysis of CVR of B602L gene revealed 8 tetrameric repeats variants, six of which have never been reported in Nigeria. Analysis of sera samples recorded a seroprevalence of 6.9% (16/217) within the study period. Findings from this study show that LPM are hotspots and channels for transmission and continuous spread of ASFV in Nigeria. Therefore, for ASF to be controlled in Nigeria, disease surveillance and regulation at LPMs are critical.
13 Jan 2022Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
13 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
13 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
18 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Feb 20221st Revision Received
08 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
08 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
09 Feb 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Sep 2022Published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases volume 69 issue 5. 10.1111/tbed.14483