Abstracts Page 3 - RVF, CCHF- Senegal

Capacity Development for Outbreak Investigation, Pathology, Surveillance and Characterization of Viral Strains of FMD, PPR, LSD and CCHF in Jordan

Nabil Hailat1*, Shereen Khlouf1, Mahmud Duwayri2, Faburay Bonto3

1Faculty of Veterinary Pathology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid-Jordan

2Retired former Minister of Agriculture, Former Professor-Jordan University, Amman-Jordan

3Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, APHIS, Plum Island (NY), Manhattan (KS), USA

* Corresponding author - hailatn@just.edu.jo

Background: Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) occur in Jordan. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) are major diseases endemic within the country. This study investigated farmers knowledge to and responses to these disease as the first step in our research on the pathology, viral characterization, and epidemiology of FMD, PPR, LSD and CCHF in Jordan.

Method: From September 2024 to February 2025, farm assessments and questionnaires were used to evaluate awareness, knowledge, risk factors, and response to outbreaks.

Results: The survey responses (76 farms) revealed that 40% did not vaccinate their animals for any disease, while 43% vaccinated for FMD, 39% for PPR, and 16% for LSD. Most farmers vaccinated in 2023 and early 2024. Regarding disease management, 24% of respondents reported FMD infections, with morbidity ranging from 10% to 100%. Quarantine and movement restrictions were applied in 79% of FMD cases, with 69% receiving veterinary care. For PPR, 57% implemented animal movement restrictions. In response to outbreaks, 62% of farmers applied quarantine and movement restrictions, and 67% vaccinated. 

Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for stronger vaccination strategies and better disease management practices to mitigate the risks of these livestock diseases in Jordan. Targeted workshops for farmers, veterinarians, and laboratory personnel are needed to improve knowledge and capacity and to help combat TADs in Jordan.

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Risk Factors of African Swine Fever Outbreak Cases in Uganda for the Period 2010 – 2023

Eddie M Wampande1†, Simon Angeki2†, Corrie Brown3, Bonto Faburay4,5, Rose O Ademun2, Charles Waiswa1, Peter Waiswa1*

1Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity

2Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda 

3LifeStock International, Athens, GA 30606, USA

4U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility USDA, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

5U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, NY 11957, USA

†Authors contributed equally

*Corresponding author: pwaiswa4@gmail.com

Background: This study describes the spatiotemporal distribution and risk factors of African swine fever disease (ASFD) in Uganda for the period of 2010 through 2023. 

Method: The study utilized a comprehensive dataset from monthly reports (2010 – 2023) by the District Veterinary Officers (DVOs), Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and Food and Agriculture Organization, Uganda. Using GPS coordinates, ASFD cases were mapped using QGIS to show ASFD distribution and spread in Uganda. Moral I analysis was used to delineate clusters of ASFD.

Results: A total of 1521 ASFD cases were recorded, the data shows that cases of ASFD were disseminated throughout the country, with more cases of ASFD documented in the central region and border districts (hotspots for ASFD), few cases were reported in Acholi, Karamoja, and Lango sub-regions. The time series analysis revealed incidences of ASFD disease occurring year-round with notable peak cases observed in some districts with ≥ 30,000 pigs. The Moran I (≥1) analysis showed that ASFD is either aggregated (P=0.01), especially in central districts bordering Tanzania, or sporadic in occurrence. 

Conclusions: The disease was present in 66% of the districts with outbreaks happening throughout the year, with more cases aggregated in central and border districts as well as districts with large pig populations (³ 30,000). Moreover, sporadic cases were reported in districts bordering DRC, Sudan, Kenya, Lake Shores, Karamoja, Acholi sub-region, and Lango region.

Keywords: African Swine Fever (ASF), Uganda, spatiotemporal trends, ASF clusters

Broadening Career Opportunities in High-Biocontainment Laboratory Fields for Underrepresented Students: Evaluating the Impact of the NBAF Laboratorian Training Summer Program at Tuskegee University

James W. Mungin1 and Olga Bolden-Tiller1*

1Tuskegee University, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tuskegee, AL, USA

*Corresponding Author: Olga Bolden-Tiller- oboldentiller@tuskegee.edu

Background: Foreign animal diseases pose a significant threat to U.S. agriculture and public health, yet many high-containment facility positions remain unfilled. To address this gap, Tuskegee University launched the nation’s third NBAF Laboratory Training Program (NLTP) in 2023—the first at an HBCU. Every summer, NLTP at Tuskegee equips students with essential skills in biosafety, molecular biology, and animal handling, preparing them for careers in high containment.

Methods: During the summer, participants receive hands-on training in pathogen handling, diagnostic procedures, and livestock and small animal care. Students also take tours at government facilities with high containment laboratories. To assess program effectiveness, a Likert scale survey (0-5) measured participants' scientific skills, confidence, and career attitudes.

Results: In Summer 2023, nine participants (89% Black-American female, 11% male, GPA

~3.345) from five universities, primarily juniors, seniors, and graduates, completed the program. Over 66% learned about NLTP through flyers, posters, emails, or websites. Participants reported gains in scientific skills (4.55/5) and engagement attitudes (4.07/5), with program satisfaction at 3.78/5 and career interest at 2.88/5, indicating a need for increased career awareness. In Summer 2024, eleven participants (80% Black-American female, 20% male, GPA ~3.463) from three universities (FAMU, NC A&T, Tuskegee) participated in the program. Compared to 2023, participants reported higher gains in scientific skills (4.73/5) and engagement attitudes (4.60/5), with program satisfaction at

3.68/5 and career interest at 3.38/5.

Conclusion: The research findings reinforces NLTP’s impact on skill development while highlighting the need for stronger career preparation in a high containment environment.

Serological and Molecular Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Livestock Markets of Nigeria: The Role of Nasal Swab Samples in Identifying Salient Infection

David Odion Ehizibolo1, Olumuyiwa Oyekan1, Nicodemus Mkpuma1, Habibu Haliru1, Dorcas Amara Gado1, Ibrahim Garba1, Isa Zayyad Turaki1, Ardo Abdullahi1, Benjamin Dogonyaro1, Samdi Kennedy1, Joshua Mallum Shallangwa2, Caleb Saul Kilyobas2, Abdullahi Mohammed3, Musa Abdullahi Muhammad3, Nuhu Auta2, Moses Hyellafiya Kussiy2, Mansur Abubakar4, Maryam Muhammad1, Corrie Brown5, Bonto Faburay6,7

1National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria

2Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

3Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

4Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Sokoto State, Nigeria

5LifeStock International, Athens, GA 30606, USA

6Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United State Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA

7U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, NY 11957, USA

*Corresponding author: kingdavid_e@yahoo.com

Background: Efficient tracking and rapid detection of transboundary animal diseases are critical to controlling their spread. This study aimed to explore the role of international livestock markets in the transboundary movement of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus and evaluate the effectiveness of different sampling methods in endemic regions for timely pathogen detection.

Methods: From June 2023 to July 2024, a longitudinal study was conducted at four international and one feeder market across three border states in Nigeria (Jigawa, Sokoto, Mubi, Ganye, and Plateau). Weekly blood and nasal swab samples were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats. A total of 1,150 blood samples from each species were tested for FMDV-NSP antibodies using ID-Vet ELISA kit. Additionally, 225 pooled nasal swabs were analyzed using pan-serotypic real-time reverse transcription-PCR, targeting the FMDV 3D gene.

Results: Out of 1,150 blood samples, 719 (62.5%) cattle, 370 (32.2%) sheep, and 237 (20.6%) goats tested positive for FMDV-NSP antibodies. Molecular analysis of nasal swabs detected FMDV RNA in 10 (4.4%) cattle, 14 (6.2%) sheep, and 6 (2.7%) goats. Cattle exhibited the highest prevalence of FMDV antibodies, whereas sheep had the highest detection rate of FMDV RNA.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that nasal swabs are a valuable tool for early detection of FMD in livestock markets. It also provides insights into the role of subclinical infections in the epidemiology of FMD in endemic areas. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance and the implementation of control strategies to mitigate FMD transmission, especially in high-risk market environments.

Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Camels and Horses in Livestock Markets in Northern Nigeria: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission

David Odion Ehizibolo1*, Olumuyiwa Oyekan1, Nicodemus Mkpuma1, Habibu Haliru1, Dorcas Amara Gado1, Isa Zayyad Turaki1, Ibrahim Garba1, Ardo Abdullahi1, Abdullahi Mohammed2, Musa Abdullahi Muhammad2, Mansur Abubakar3, Maryam Muhammad1, Corrie Brown4, Bonto Faburay5,6

1National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria

2Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

3Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Sokoto State, Nigeria

4LifeStock International, Athens, GA 30606, USA

5Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United State Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA

6U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, NY 11957, USA

*Corresponding author: kingdavid_e@yahoo.com

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by the CCHF virus, transmitted to humans through contact with infected livestock. Camels and horses are key livestock species in northern Nigeria, but their role in CCHF transmission is not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of CCHF virus antibodies in camels and horses in three border states of Nigeria and identify associated risk factors.

Methods: Between June 2023 and July 2024, blood samples were collected weekly from camels (n=812) at two livestock markets (Jigawa and Sokoto) and one abattoir (Borno), and from horses (n=304) at the market in Jigawa State. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect CCHF virus antibodies. The study evaluated associations between seropositivity and risk factors such as tick presence, age, and sex.

Results: Of the 812 camels, 729 (89.8%) were seropositive, with state-specific prevalence of 91.5% in Jigawa, 94.8% in Borno, and 80.5% in Sokoto. Among the 304 horses in Jigawa, 159 (52.3%) tested positive. Tick presence was significantly associated with higher odds of seropositivity (adjusted OR: 2.20, p = 0.007). Young and male camels had lower odds of seropositivity (adjusted OR: 0.35, p = 0.001 and OR: 0.33, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: High seroprevalence of CCHF antibodies in camels and horses indicates significant zoonotic risk in northern Nigeria. Tick presence and demographic factors influence susceptibility, highlighting the need for targeted surveillance and control measures.