Genetic evidence of rotavirus in chicken from two localities in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The presence of rotavirus in some poultry flocks in Abeokuta and Oyo was evaluated using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. A total of 49 fecal samples in form of cloacal swabs were collected from chickens and turkeys with age groups ranging between 5days and 43weeks. Six samples from diarrheic chicken aged 8 and 9 days old were positive for the virus, while others were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report rotavirus infection in Nigerian poultry. It is recommended that epidemiological surveys be carried out to provide more data on rotavirus infection in poultry flocks in Nigeria.