Epidemiological Review of Avian Pox Diagnosed in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria (2016-2022)

Abstract

Modified: Avian pox, a highly contagious disease affecting chickens, turkeys, and other birds, is caused by the Pox virus and presents as nodular lesions on the skin and diphtheritic lesions on mucous membranes. A seven-year retrospective study (2016-2022) was conducted on clinical cases of Avian pox presented at Aliyu Jodi Veterinary Clinic (AJVC) and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (VTH-UDUS). During this period, 7,014 cases of poultry infectious diseases were recorded, with 2,066 (28.34%) identified as Avian pox. Specifically, VTH-UDUS documented 1,269 infectious cases, with 622 (49.02%) being Avian pox, while AJVC recorded 6,020 cases, with 1,444 (23.99%) attributed to Avian pox. The highest annual occurrence of Avian pox was in 2016 (38.43%), with the lowest in 2020 (12.61%). Seasonally, the disease was more prevalent during the wet season (61.42%) compared to the dry season (38.58%). Among the affected birds, turkeys showed the highest incidence (60.60%), followed by chickens (23.09%), and pigeons (16.31%). The study concludes that Avian pox was the most prevalent infectious disease during this period, particularly in 2016, during the wet season, and among turkeys. The study recommends increased efforts in disease prevention through vector control and vaccination.