A retrospective study on the prevalence and risk factors associated with Marek’s disease in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Marek’s Disease (MD) is an economically important disease of poultry caused by the MD virus, a member of the genus Mardivirus. MD results in immunosuppression and the disease affects poultry of all ages and is characterized by neoplastic lesions in the visceral organs. In this report, the prevalence and epidemiological features of MD in Plateau State were determined. Records of poultry disease cases presented to selected veterinary clinics in 4 Local Government Areas of Plateau State from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed. In addition, data were collected using questionnaires administered to 160 poultry farmers from February to May 2017. The prevalence of MD in Plateau State was 10.92% (5,620/5,1484). Cases of MD were reported in layers (92.49%), broilers (6.98%), turkeys (0.32%), and geese (0.21%). Also, co-morbidity of MD with coccidiosis (2.24%), colibacillosis (3.26%), Newcastle disease (2.58%), fatty liver syndrome (0.36%), fowl typhoid (2.86), and chronic respiratory disease (0.34%) were documented in the records. Analyzed data from the questionnaire survey revealed that 90.63% (145/160) of poultry farmers in Plateau State were familiar with MD, and 16.88% (27/160) of farmers indicated they have experienced MD outbreaks in their farms. Additionally, 90.00% (144/160) of poultry farmers claimed their birds were vaccinated against MD of which 53.13% (85/160) have vaccinated their birds once, while 36. 25% (58/160) and 0.63% (1/160) vaccinated their birds against MD twice and thrice respectively. On the economic impact of MD, twenty-seven poultry farms had experienced MD with an overall mortality of 17.02% (12,114/71,176) and most of the affected farms claimed to frequently medicate their birds during the outbreaks. To mitigate the impact of MD on poultry in Plateau State, adequate biosecurity measures and vaccination need to be instituted in poultry farms.