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Veterinary medicine international2025; 2025; 4106678; doi: 10.1155/vmi/4106678

Prevalence of African Horse Sickness Virus Antibodies in Horses and Selected Wildlife in Four Geographical Regions of Nigeria.

Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) is a severe, infectious arthropod-borne disease of equids caused by the AHS virus (AHSV). It is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, and several sporadic outbreaks of the disease have been reported in Nigeria in the past 5 decades. Following a recent outbreak of the disease in Lagos State, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of (AHSV) antibodies in apparently healthy horses and some selected wildlife sampled in four geographical regions of Nigeria. Using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 575 serum samples collected from horses in five locations, namely Abuja ( = 220), Enugu ( = 69), Oyo ( = 64), Plateau ( = 145) and Yobe ( = 77), were screened for anti-AHSV antibodies. In addition, we screened 134 wildlife, consisting of rodents, bats, and birds. The results obtained revealed an overall seroprevalence rate of 89.9% ( = 517) in horses, with the highest (100%) and lowest (75%) recorded in Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, and Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria, respectively. There was a 0% prevalence amongst the wildlife examined. This high seroprevalence rate in horses shows that AHS is widespread among the horse population in different regions of Nigeria, suggesting significant exposure to the virus. In addition, the high AHS seroprevalence suggests endemicity of the disease in Nigeria, which could be attributed to vector activities. Although we could not distinguish between antibodies due to natural infection and those induced by vaccination, our findings emphasize the need for continuous surveillance of AHS in horses in Nigeria to track the possible evolution of the virus in the country and aid the formulation of effective prevention and control strategies against the disease.
Copyright © 2025 C. N. Chinyere et al. Veterinary Medicine International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-21 PubMed ID: 40893456PubMed Central: PMC12393928DOI: 10.1155/vmi/4106678Google 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.

African horse sickness virus (AHSV) antibodies are widespread among apparently healthy horses in multiple regions of Nigeria, indicating that African horse sickness (AHS) is endemic in the country, while no evidence of the virus was found in the wildlife tested.

Background and Purpose

  • African horse sickness (AHS) is a serious and often fatal viral disease affecting horses and other equids, caused by the African horse sickness virus (AHSV).
  • The disease is transmitted by arthropod vectors, mainly midges of the genus Culicoides, and is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Nigeria has reported sporadic outbreaks over the last 50 years, with recent cases in Lagos State raising concerns about its prevalence.
  • The research aimed to investigate how widespread exposure to AHSV is among healthy horses and selected wildlife species across four geographically diverse Nigerian states.

Methods

  • A total of 575 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy horses in five locations across Nigeria: Abuja (220 samples), Enugu (69), Oyo (64), Plateau (145), and Yobe (77).
  • An additional 134 serum samples were collected from various wildlife species, including rodents, bats, and birds, which could act as potential reservoirs or sentinels for AHSV.
  • All samples were screened for antibodies against AHSV using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a technique that detects the presence of viral antibodies indicating past exposure or vaccination.

Results

  • A very high overall seroprevalence of AHSV antibodies was found in horses across Nigeria at 89.9% (517 out of 575 horses tested positive), indicating widespread exposure.
  • The highest seroprevalence was recorded in Enugu State at 100%, with the lowest prevalence observed in Oyo State at 75%.
  • No AHSV antibodies were detected in any of the wildlife samples, suggesting limited or no involvement of these species in the transmission or maintenance of AHSV.

Interpretations

  • The high seroprevalence in horses suggests that AHS is endemic in Nigeria, affecting horse populations across multiple geographic regions.
  • The widespread antibody presence indicates either natural infection from contact with AHSV inside Nigeria or immune responses induced by vaccination, although the study was not able to differentiate between these sources.
  • The lack of detectable antibodies in sampled wildlife implies that these animals are unlikely to serve as reservoirs or play a significant role in AHSV epidemiology in Nigeria.
  • Vector activity—presumably by biting midges—is implicated as a key factor sustaining continued transmission of the virus among horses.

Implications and Recommendations

  • Findings highlight the necessity for ongoing surveillance programs to monitor AHSV exposure and evolution of the virus within Nigeria.
  • AHS control strategies should consider the widespread endemic status and focus on vector control, vaccination programs, and education of horse owners on disease prevention.
  • Further research is needed to distinguish between vaccine-derived and natural infection antibodies to better understand infection dynamics.
  • Continued monitoring can help detect potential changes in virus strains or outbreak patterns and support timely and effective responses to reduce disease impact on equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Chinyere CN, Ajaebili AC, Peter-Ajuzie IK, Galadima HB, Daodu OB, Fatola OI, Okolo CC, Alaba BA, Akinniyi OO, Omoniwa DO, Edeh ER, Olorunfemi AB, Olayinka TA, Ojurongbe O, Oluwayelu DO, Muhammad AB, Abubakar MB, Meseko CA, Happi AN, Happi CT, Bakarey AS, Groschup MH, Olopade JO. (2025). Prevalence of African Horse Sickness Virus Antibodies in Horses and Selected Wildlife in Four Geographical Regions of Nigeria. Vet Med Int, 2025, 4106678. https://doi.org/10.1155/vmi/4106678

Publication

Veterinary medicine international
ISSN: 2090-8113
NlmUniqueID: 101524203
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 2025
Pages: 4106678
PII: 4106678

Researcher Affiliations

Chinyere, C N
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Regional Centre for Animal Influenza and Other Transboundary Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
Ajaebili, A C
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Peter-Ajuzie, I K
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria.
Galadima, H B
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria.
Daodu, O B
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
Fatola, O I
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Okolo, C C
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria.
Alaba, B A
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Akinniyi, O O
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Omoniwa, D O
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
Edeh, E R
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
Olorunfemi, A B
  • Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub-Centre for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
Olayinka, T A
  • Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub-Centre for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
Ojurongbe, O
  • Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub-Centre for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Nigeria.
Oluwayelu, D O
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Muhammad, A B
  • BlueBlood Veterinary Clinic, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.
Abubakar, M B
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria.
Meseko, C A
  • Regional Centre for Animal Influenza and Other Transboundary Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
Happi, A N
  • African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria.
Happi, C T
  • African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria.
Bakarey, A S
  • Institute of Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
Groschup, M H
  • Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Insel Riems, Germany.
Olopade, J O
  • Humboldt Research Hub for Zoonotic Arboviral Diseases, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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