Ten-Year (1993 ­ 2002) retrospective evaluation of vaccination of dogs against rabies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Record books in form of one thousand, four hundred and seventy eight (1478) registers, case notes and vaccination certificates of registered dogs were assessed for rabies vaccination and its booster coverage. The dogs which consisted of 850 males and 628 females were presented at the Small Animal and Preventive Veterinary Medicine Clinics, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan between January 1993 and December 2002. Among the registered dogs, 155 (10.5%) with annual mean of 9.1 + 9.1% were vaccinated. Although more females (83 or 13.2%) were vaccinated than male dogs (72 or 8.5%), the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Most vaccinated dogs (121 or 78.1%), were at the initial vaccination age of 3 months and had the highest vaccination coverage (51 dogs (males and females) or 44.3%) while 53 (males and females) dogs (43.8%) were adequately vaccinated. Also, 12 (35.3%) among 34 dogs with booster vaccination were adequately protected against rabies. The current study showed increase in registration of dogs and the cost of vaccination in the clinics. However declined vaccination and booster coverages were observed compared to the previous 5 ­ year observations of 36.5% vaccination and 59.5% booster coverages. These observations were far below the recommendation of WHO (1989, 1990, 2001) to prevent urban rabies epizootics and epidemics in the area. Since rabies is zoonotic, the study indicated increase danger of contracting rabies by veterinarians, their assistants, dog owners, their family members and the general public

Rabies in Ghana, West Africa.

Ghana, like many West, Central and East African countries is an edemic area for rabies. Between 1977 and 1981, despite yearly vaccination programmes of dogs and human being population at risk in 1977, the incidence of rabies is still high. A total of 752 canine and 102 human rabies were reported and confirmed. Hospital case reports of 8 persons that died of the disease confirmed all known facts about rabies except seasonality. Finally, the need for a nationwide effort to control, if not erradicate, the disease by mass vaccination of dogs is highlighted.

The public health aspects of roast chickens sold in take-away shops in Ibadan, Nigeria.

A study is made on the bacteriological status of ready to consume roast chicken from take-away shops in Ibadan with particular emphasis on the bacterial load and identification of Salmonella app. The total viable count method using plate count agar was used to estimate the total bacterial load while the Colworth method was used to isolate and identify the Salmonella spp. Bacterial load range from 48,000 to 132,000 per gram of chicken meat. Salmonella spp. were identified in 72% of the samples examined. To protect public health, the importance of adequate thawing of deep frozen chicken prior to roasting, hygiene of utensils and meat handlers are emphasised. Proper storage and reheating of overnight stored roast chicken are necessary to prevent food poisoning from this source.

A survey of abattoir data in northern Nigeria.

A survey of the abattoirs in 10 selected towne in Nigeria showed that about 41.9 per cent of whole carcasses condemned between 1975 and 1977 were due to tuberculosis and 22.2 per cent to beef cysticercosis. Seventy per cent of organ condemnations, mainly of livers, were due to fascioliasis. Other major causes of organ condemnations were hydatid cysts, tuberculosis and pneumonia of various causes. An estimated 500 tonnes of meat valued at about 1.25 million Naira (US $1.8 million) are condemned each year throughout Nigeria. The use of abattoirs as monitoring stations in national animal disease eradication programmes is highlighted.