A Study of Common Pathogens in Poultry Industries in Ifite-Ogwari, Anyamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Poultry production is an essential sector in global agriculture, contributing significantly to food security by providing affordable animal protein. However, the prevalence of infectious diseases caused by various pathogens presents substantial economic losses and public health risks. This study dealt with isolation and characterization of common pathogens in poultry flocks within Ifite-Ogwari, Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Primary objectives include isolating pathogens from fecal samples of birds raised in the area, characterizing the pathogens and determination of antibiotics resistance profiles of the pathogens using standard biochemical techniques, and assessing their prevalence and distribution across the area. Key bacterial pathogens identified include Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Most of these pathogens from different farms were resistant to various antibiotics indicating subnormal cum improper applications by farmers. The study therefore underscores the urgent need for the government to detail Extension Agents to Ifite-Ogwari in order to educate the poultry farmers on proper use of antibiotics. Again, since most of these isolates are zoonotic, caution should be applied in consumption of animal products from Ifite-Ogwari. The use of alternative bio security measures such as herbs are recommended in order to mitigate the imminent danger of using antibiotics.