Key result
Nigerian live pig markets show ~11% African swine fever virus prevalence by PCR.
Why the study?
Despite reports of African swine fever outbreaks following restocking from live pig markets, there is a paucity of information on the role of these markets in the epidemiology of the disease.
Cross-Sectional (n=613)
Yes
Live pig markets in Nigeria serve as hotspots for the transmission and spread of African swine fever virus, highlighting the need for disease surveillance and regulation.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports surveillance at Nigerian live pig markets; leaves open transmission dynamics and control needs.
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.
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Adedeji et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in African swine fever virus (ASFV) (n=613). Live pig markets was evaluated on ASFV prevalence by PCR. In 613 pig samples from 4 live pig markets in Nigeria, the overall prevalence of African swine fever virus by PCR was 10.77%.
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