Open AccessA survey of rabies virus antibodies in confined, hunting and roaming dogs in Ogun and Oyo States, Southwestern Nigeria
Author(s) -
Daniel Oladimeji Oluwayelu,
Adebowale Idris Adebiyi,
Obokparo Godspower Ohore
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60620-4
Subject(s) - rabies , ogun state , rabies virus , vaccination , veterinary medicine , antibody , population , medicine , virology , environmental health , immunology , geography , archaeology , local government
Objective: To screen for rabies virus (RABV) antibodies in apparently healthy confined, hunting\udand roaming dogs by a community-based approach.\udMethods: Sera from 230 (80 confined, 92 hunting and 58 roaming) dogs in some urban and periurban communities in Ogun and Oyo states, Southwestern Nigeria were screened for RABV\udantibodies using the indirect ELISA method.\udResults: Analysis of administered questionnaires showed that of 80 confined dog owners, 37\udwere aware of anti-rabies vaccination (i.e. they were informed) while 17 were negligent and 26\uduninformed. Of the 230 sera tested, only 13 (5.7%) from vaccinated confined dogs in Oyo state were\udpositive (i.e. had optimal RABV antibody titres) (mean 0.54, 95% CI: 0.42–0.67) while all confined\uddog sera in Ogun state were negative. Eleven (12.0%) and 14 (24.1%) of the hunting and roaming\uddogs respectively had sub-optimal RABV antibody titres while the rest were negative.\udConclusions: Evidently, these groups of dogs are a totally unprotected and susceptible dog\udpopulation that can serve as potential reservoirs of RABV in the study area. Responsible pet\udownership, vaccination of hunting and roaming dogs, and community-based active rabies\udsurveillance are therefore advocated in Nigeria