Serological Detection of Influenza A Virus in Horses and Donkeys Sold andSlaughtered in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a highly contagious and major respiratory viral disease of horses and donkeys causing severe economic impact to equine industry globally. Data on the epidemiology and lineages of EIV in circulation in Nigeria is limited. To shed more light on these, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in slaughter houses and animal markets in Ebonyi state, South East Nigeria from January 2022 to July 2023. Four hundred (400) sera samples were collected and screened for antibodies against nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus using Multispecies competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) influenza A kit, (IDEXX, France). Thirty (30) subset of positive sera samples for influenza A virus antibodies by ELISA were further screened and subtyped using HI assay. The results showed that antibodies against influenza A virus nucleoprotein were detected in 7.5% (30 of 400) of horses and donkeys examined by Multispecies competitive ELISA influenza A kit. The subtyping of the ELISA positive sera revealed EI H3 (n=2) subtypes. The presence of EI as reported in this study could be a present or a past EI infection as there was no evidence of vaccination as reported in this study. The role of transboundary trade in the transmission of EIV cannot be over emphasized, therefore proper biosafety, quarantine of imported horses and donkeys, vaccination and control of illegal animal trade should be strengthened across the country.