Abstract

The incidence of Newcastle disease (ND) in Nigeria is high and is a persistent cause of mortality and (or) morbidity among chickens causing huge economic losses. It has been observed that local chickens are being slaughtered daily in Zaria but, the ND status and public health problems are unknown. This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of Newcastle disease virus antibodies, sex and age-related prevalence in local chickens slaughtered in the selected markets in Zaria, Kaduna State between February and March 2019. The antibody detection was done by using Hemagglutination test (HA) and Hemagglutination Inhibition Test (HAI). A total number of three hundred (300) blood samples were taken across three selected markets, namely: Sabon-Gari, Samaru and Tudun-Wada markets. A hundred (100) blood samples were collected from each market. An overall seroprevalence of 37.67% (113/300) was recorded in this study. A comparison was made between sex and between ages. Result obtained showed female chickens (45.39%) had higher prevalence compared to male chickens (30.43%) and the association was significant (P=0.005). Likewise, higher seroprevalence was recorded in younger chickens (53.33%) than in older chickens (30.95%) with a significant association (P=0.015). it is therefore recommended that awareness program to enlighten the public on proper cooking of the chicken and effect of NCD is instituted. Vendors should also be educated on the need to screen and quarantine infected chickens from the stock to be slaughtered.