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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2026; 15(3); 258; doi: 10.3390/pathogens15030258

Rift Valley Fever Virus Exposure in Camels and Horses Across Northern Nigeria Livestock Markets.

Abstract: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a neglected vector-borne zoonotic disease of significant veterinary and public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the seroprevalence of Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) exposure and associated risk factors among camels and horses marketed in northern Nigeria. A total of 1117 animals were sampled, comprising camels (812) and horses (305), across three major livestock markets (Maigatari, Maiduguri, and Illela). The overall seroprevalence was 18.8% (95% CI: 16.6-21.2%), with a striking six-fold disparity: camels showed a prevalence of 24.4% (95% CI: 21.6-27.4%), while horses exhibited only 3.9% (95% CI: 2.1-7.0%). Significant geographic clustering was observed, with Illela camels recording the highest prevalence (34.8%) compared to those in Maigatari (20.3%) and Maiduguri (20.2%). There were no significant associations with age or sex among camels. However, in horses, females were significantly more likely to test positive than males (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-0.97). These findings demonstrate endemic RVFV circulation in Nigerian livestock, highlighting species- and location-specific differences, and underscore the zoonotic risks within regional and transboundary livestock trade networks.
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Publication Date: 2026-02-28 PubMed ID: 41901711PubMed Central: PMC13029466DOI: 10.3390/pathogens15030258Google 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.

Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) exposure was studied in camels and horses from livestock markets in northern Nigeria, revealing a significant presence of the virus in camels and lower exposure in horses, with notable differences based on market location and species.

Study Background and Objective

  • Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes and affects both animals and humans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The research aimed to determine how common RVFV exposure is among two types of livestock—camels and horses—in northern Nigeria and to identify factors linked to such exposure.
  • This is important because RVF can impact public health and livestock productivity, and the movement of animals across borders can spread the virus.

Methodology

  • Sample Collection:
    • A total of 1117 animals were sampled: 812 camels and 305 horses.
    • Animals were obtained from three major livestock markets: Maigatari, Maiduguri, and Illela.
  • Testing:
    • Seroprevalence testing was conducted to detect antibodies indicating past exposure to RVFV.
  • Data Analysis:
    • Prevalence rates were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
    • Statistical analysis was used to identify significant differences by species, location, age, and sex.

Key Findings

  • Overall, 18.8% of the sampled animals had been exposed to RVFV.
  • Species Differences:
    • Camels showed a substantially higher exposure rate (24.4%) compared to horses (3.9%).
    • The disparity suggests that camels are more susceptible or more frequently infected by RVFV than horses in this region.
  • Geographic Variation:
    • Significant clustering of RVFV exposure was observed based on market location.
    • Illela had the highest prevalence among camels at 34.8%, whereas Maigatari and Maiduguri showed around 20% prevalence.
  • Demographic Factors:
    • Among camels, neither age nor sex was significantly associated with RVFV exposure.
    • In horses, female animals were more likely to be seropositive than males, indicating possible sex-related vulnerability or exposure differences.

Significance and Implications

  • Endemic Circulation:
    • The presence of RVFV antibodies in both species, especially camels, indicates ongoing virus circulation in northern Nigerian livestock.
  • Zoonotic Risk:
    • Since RVF is zoonotic, the findings highlight a risk that people working with or around these animals may become infected.
    • Understanding species-specific infection patterns can help target public health and veterinary interventions.
  • Trade and Disease Spread:
    • Livestock markets serve as nodes in regional and transboundary animal trade networks, facilitating potential spread of RVFV.
    • Identification of high-prevalence locations supports improved surveillance and control measures in these areas.

Conclusions

  • The study reveals notable differences in RVFV exposure between camels and horses, with camels acting as a potential reservoir or indicator species.
  • Geographic clustering of RVFV exposure suggests localized factors influencing virus transmission that warrant further investigation.
  • These insights can guide improved monitoring, veterinary care, and public health policies to mitigate RVF impacts in Nigeria and across neighboring regions where livestock trade is common.

Cite This Article

APA
Ehizibolo DO, Oyekan O, Mkpuma N, Haliru H, Garba I, Turaki IZ, Williams EE, Danmarwa A, Mohammed A, Muhammad MA, Abubakar M, Brown C, Faburay B. (2026). Rift Valley Fever Virus Exposure in Camels and Horses Across Northern Nigeria Livestock Markets. Pathogens, 15(3), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15030258

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
PII: 258

Researcher Affiliations

Ehizibolo, David Odion
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Oyekan, Olumuyiwa
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Mkpuma, Nicodemus
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Haliru, Habibu
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Garba, Ibrahim
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Turaki, Isa Zayyad
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Williams, Elizabeth Ene
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Danmarwa, Agom
  • National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Mohammed, Abdullahi
  • Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse 720101, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Muhammad, Musa Abdullahi
  • Veterinary Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dutse 720101, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
Abubakar, Mansur
  • Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, Sokoto 840103, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
Brown, Corrie
  • LifeStock International, Athens, GA 30606, USA.
Faburay, Bonto
  • Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United State Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66505, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Camelus / virology
  • Rift Valley Fever / epidemiology
  • Rift Valley Fever / virology
  • Horses
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / immunology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Female
  • Male
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Risk Factors
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / virology
  • Livestock / virology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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