Open Access
Research (Published online: 29-12-2022)
29. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan
Mutaz A. I. Hussein, Nussieba A. Osman, Mohamed T. Ibrahim, Ayman M. Alhassan, and Naglaa A. Abass
Veterinary World, 15(12): 2979-2985

Mutaz A. I. Hussein: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum-North, Sudan; Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of West Kordofan, Al-Fulah, Sudan.
Nussieba A. Osman: Department of Pathology, Parasitology, and Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum-North, Sudan.
Mohamed T. Ibrahim: Department of Animal Production, College of Animal Production Science and Technology, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum-North, Sudan.
Ayman M. Alhassan: Department of Poultry, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Soba, Khartoum, Sudan.
Naglaa A. Abass: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum-North, Sudan.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2979-2985

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 18-07-2022, Accepted: 03-11-2022, Published online: 29-12-2022

Corresponding author: Nussieba A. Osman

E-mail: nussieba@yahoo.com

Citation: Hussein MAI, Osman NA, Ibrahim MT, Alhassan AM, and Abass NA (2022) Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan, Veterinary World, 15(12): 2979–2985.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease (ND), a major constraint to poultry production worldwide, is a highly contagious disease of many species of domestic, exotic, and wild birds caused by ND virus (NDV). Epidemiological studies are lacking regarding ND in village chickens, including the traditional and intensive production systems used in Sudan. However, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies to control the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the flock- and bird-level seroprevalence of NDV in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan, and to identify the risk factors associated with ND in the study area.

Materials and Methods: The seroprevalence of the circulating NDV and bird-level risk factors associated with ND was determined in backyard chickens from March to October 2017, in six villages (Alnowara, Alleait, Geibaish, Baiad, Sougoh, and Alnuhoud) in the Geibaish and Elnuhoud localities of West Kordofan State.

Results: Using the hemagglutination-inhibition test, the bird- and flock-level seroprevalences of antibodies to NDV were estimated as 20.6% (78/378) and 45% (18/40), respectively. Bird-level NDV seropositivity in backyard chickens was significantly associated with the reason for raising chickens, type of housing, contact with neighboring poultry, contact with wild birds, and chicken mortality caused by infectious diseases (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicated that NDV is circulating in backyard chickens and may act as a potential source of infection for other birds and thus persistence of ND among local traditionally managed chickens in the areas of West Kordofan State. Risk factors contributing to ND occurrence are important for designing appropriate prevention and control strategies.

Keywords: backyard chickens, epidemiology, Newcastle disease virus, Newcastle disease, risk factors, seroprevalence, Sudan.