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Zoonoses and public health2026; doi: 10.1111/zph.70056

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus Exposure in Horses and Donkeys in Border Livestock Markets of Nigeria.

Abstract: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of major public health importance in Africa. Although CCHFV exposure has been reported in several livestock species in Nigeria, data on equids remain limited despite their extensive involvement in livestock movement and trade. This study assessed CCHFV seroprevalence in horses and donkeys in major international livestock markets in northern Nigeria and examined factors associated with exposure. Methods: From June 2023 to July 2024, a longitudinal sero-surveillance study was conducted in three high-volume livestock markets in northern Nigeria. Serum samples from 808 equids (305 horses and 503 donkeys) were tested for CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies using a commercial multi-species ELISA. Data on age, sex, origin and tick infestation status were collected. Seroprevalence was estimated with 95% confidence intervals, and associations were evaluated using univariable analyses and multilevel binomial logistic regression accounting for market-state clustering. Results: Overall CCHFV seroprevalence was 23.1% (95% CI: 20.3%-26.2%). Horses had a significantly higher seroprevalence (52.1%, 95% CI: 46.3%-58.0%) than donkeys (5.7%, 95% CI: 3.7%-8.1%) (p < 0.001). In univariable analyses, seropositivity in horses was associated with age and sex, whereas no significant associations were observed in donkeys. In the multilevel model, species and age remained independently associated with seropositivity; horses had substantially higher odds than donkeys (OR = 20.91, 95% CI: 11.14-39.24), and odds increased with age (OR = 1.17 per year, 95% CI: 1.06-1.29). Conclusions: CCHFV exposure is widespread among equids in northern Nigeria, particularly in horses. These findings support the potential value of horses as sentinel species for CCHFV surveillance in livestock trade corridors. Conclusions: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic virus of public health importance in Africa, yet data on equids in Nigeria remain limited. We assessed CCHFV seroprevalence in horses and donkeys sampled at major international livestock markets in northern Nigeria. Serum samples from 808 equids were tested using a commercial multi-species ELISA. Overall seroprevalence was 23.1% (95% CI: 20.3%-26.2%), with higher seroprevalence in horses (52.1%) than in donkeys (5.7%). In multilevel analyses, species and age were independently associated with seropositivity, while sex, tick infestation status and animal origin were not. These findings indicate widespread CCHFV exposure among equids and suggest that horses may serve as useful sentinel animals for monitoring CCHFV circulation in livestock trade corridors.
© 2026 The Author(s). Zoonoses and Public Health published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Publication Date: 2026-04-05 PubMed ID: 41937225DOI: 10.1111/zph.70056Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated the prevalence of exposure to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in horses and donkeys at major international livestock markets in northern Nigeria.
  • It found significant exposure to the virus especially in horses, suggesting their potential use as sentinel animals for monitoring the virus in regions with active livestock trade.

Background

  • CCHFV is a tick-borne virus that can infect both animals and humans, posing a significant public health concern across Africa.
  • Previous research in Nigeria showed exposure in various livestock species but data on equids (horses and donkeys) were limited.
  • Equids play a key role in livestock movement and trade, making them important to study in the context of disease surveillance and control.

Study Design and Methods

  • A longitudinal sero-surveillance study was performed from June 2023 to July 2024.
  • Sampling was conducted at three large livestock markets located in northern Nigeria, selected due to their high volume of animal trade and international connectivity.
  • Samples were collected from 808 equids, comprising 305 horses and 503 donkeys.
  • Serum samples were tested for CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies using a validated commercial multi-species ELISA test, which indicates past exposure to the virus.
  • Additional data recorded for each animal included age, sex, geographic origin, and presence or absence of tick infestation.
  • Statistical analyses included estimating the seroprevalence with 95% confidence intervals and assessing variables linked to exposure using both univariable tests and multilevel binomial logistic regression to account for clustering by market and state.

Key Results

  • Overall, 23.1% of the equids tested positive for CCHFV antibodies, indicating widespread exposure.
  • Horses showed a notably higher seroprevalence (52.1%) compared to donkeys (5.7%), with the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.001).
  • In horses, seropositivity was associated with both age and sex in univariable analysis, while in donkeys no such associations were found.
  • In the multilevel logistic regression model, only species and age remained significantly associated with seropositivity:
    • Horses were about 21 times more likely than donkeys to be seropositive (Odds Ratio = 20.91, CI: 11.14–39.24).
    • Older age increased the odds of exposure by approximately 17% per additional year (OR = 1.17, CI: 1.06–1.29).
  • Sex, tick infestation at the time of sampling, and the animals’ geographical origin did not show significant associations in the multilevel model.

Interpretation and Significance

  • The findings demonstrate that CCHFV exposure is common among equids, especially horses, in the northern Nigerian livestock markets studied.
  • The higher exposure in horses might reflect differences in behavior, habitat use, or tick infestation patterns compared to donkeys, or their increased involvement in livestock trade routes.
  • Because horses are frequently exposed and easily sampled in market settings, they could serve as effective sentinel species to monitor the presence and spread of CCHFV within livestock trade corridors.
  • Using horses as sentinels could improve early detection and help inform public health and veterinary interventions to prevent outbreaks of this zoonotic virus.
  • Although ticks are the known vectors, the lack of association with current tick infestation suggests that transmission dynamics may be complex and that historic exposure rather than immediate tick burden influences antibody presence.

Conclusions

  • This study fills a critical data gap by providing robust evidence of widespread CCHFV exposure in equids in a high-risk region of Nigeria.
  • It recommends consideration of horses as a practical sentinel species for ongoing CCHFV surveillance in livestock trade hubs.
  • Better understanding and monitoring of CCHFV circulation in animals can support efforts to reduce zoonotic transmission risks to humans involved in animal trade and husbandry.
  • These results underscore the importance of integrating animal health surveillance into regional public health strategies targeting tick-borne diseases like CCHFV.

Cite This Article

APA
Ehizibolo DO, Oyekan O, Mkpuma N, Haliru H, Garba I, Turaki IZ, Kennedy S, Shallangwa JM, Kilyobas CS, Mohammed A, Muhammad MA, Abubakar M, Muhammad M, Brown C, Faburay B. (2026). Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus Exposure in Horses and Donkeys in Border Livestock Markets of Nigeria. Zoonoses Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.70056

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Ehizibolo, David O
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Oyekan, Olumuyiwa
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Mkpuma, Nicodemus
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Haliru, Habibu
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Garba, Ibrahim
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Turaki, Isa Z
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Kennedy, Samdi
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Shallangwa, Joshua M
  • Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Kilyobas, Caleb S
  • Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture Development, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Mohammed, Abdullahi
  • Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Muhammad, Musa A
  • Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Abubakar, Mansur
  • Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
Muhammad, Maryam
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.
Brown, Corrie
  • LifeStock International, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Faburay, Bonto
  • Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.

Grant Funding

  • United States Department of Agriculture-National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (USDA-NBAF), through the Global Partnership for Animal and Zoonotic Disease Surveillance (GPAZDS).

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