Seroprevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease virus antibodies in trade cattle (Bos indicus) in Kwara state of Nigeria

Aim: A serological survey for the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease virus antibodies in trade cattle was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Kwara state of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on convenient sampling for bovine blood was carried out in 5 cattle markets (Offa, Bode Sadu, Ilesha baruba, Ilorin, Ajasse) across five local government areas in Kwara State amongst cattle with unknown history of FMD vaccination over a period of August-September-October, 2011. The sera obtained were screened R using NS-Blocking ELISA kit (PRIOCHECK ). Results: Out of the 450 cattle (268 cows and 182 bulls) screened for FMD antibodies, sero-positivity was highest amongst cows 62.13%. Percentage distribution of sero-positive reactors by location showed Ilesha baruba, Ilorin and Offa had 27.14%, 23.80% and 13.33% respectively, while seropositivity amongst bulls was 37.86%, highest occurrence in Offa 30.46% and least in Ilesha baruba 14.84%. FMD carriers according to breeds showed 77.21% white Fulani (Bunaji) was positive over the other breeds. The sex, location and breed was significant by chi square p<0.05. FMD seropositivity according to age indicated young cattle within 6 months-2years group had the highest occurrence 75.14% over the adult group 24.85%. Conclusion: The occurrence thus confirms FMD endemicity and susceptibility of all sex, ages, and various breed of unvaccinated trade cattle especially amongst white Fulani, young cows within the local markets and those from neighboring West African countries. Thus, circulating FMDV strains responsible for this seropositivity should be established in order to design appropriate control strategy to limit FMD effect.