Detection of African Swine Fever Virus in Pigs Slaughtered at abattoir, Jos, Plateau State Nigeria.

African swine fever (ASFV) is a reportable disease of swine, with serious economic limitations associated with losses in terms of production and international trade. About 100 spleen tissue samples were collected from abattoir Jos, Plateau State over a period of five weeks. The samples were prepared and analyzed using blocking enzymatic immunoassay (Blocking ELISA) test kit to test for antigen against ASFV. The result revealed an overall prevalence of 17% (95 CI: 10.6-25.3). The prevalence based on sex indicate a higher prevalence in male pigs 21.73 (95% CI 11.6 - 35.34) than in female pigs 12.96 (5.85 - 23.97); however, the difference in prevalence is not statistically significant p>0.05. The finding confirms that ASF is endemic in Plateau and the ASFV is prevalent in the study area. The circulation of the virus is a great risk and has a negative impact on the means of livelihood and food security in the state and the country at large. It is therefore recommended that further studies be carried out to investigate the possible source of the infection on ASFV positive pigs and also characterized the ASFV antibodies in pigs and pig's farmers should ensure strict adherence for biosecurity measures on their farms.