Preliminary survey for antibodies against respiratory viruses among slaughter camels (Camelus Dromedarius) in north-eastern nigeria

Abstract

A survey for complement-fixing (CF) antibodies against respiratory viruses in camels was carried out in the State of Borno in Nigeria. These antibodies were present in 92 (58.6%) of 157 sera tested. Antibody prevalence against respiratory viruses was noted, as follows: adenovirus (1.3%), influenza A (0.6%), influenza B (12.7%), parainfluenza-1 (22.3%), parainfluenza-2 (2.5%), parainfluenza-3 (18.5%) and respiratory syncytial virus (0.6%). The difference in antibody prevalence between the different virus antigens was statistically significant. High antibody rates to influenza B, parainfluenza-3 and parainfluenza-1 indicate that respiratory viruses of camels might be of public health significance.