Epidemiology of Q – Fever in Flocks of Sheep in Yobe State, Nigeria

Q-fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium. A cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Q-fever in flocks of sheep in Yobe State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the animals. A total of 420 blood samples from sheep of various ages were tested from April, 2018 to July, 2018 for Q-fever using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 420 sera tested 49 (11.7%) were seeropositive for Q fever. Of the 315 females sheep tested, 39 (12.4%) were seropositive and out of 105 male sheep tested, 10 (9.5%) were seropositive. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the sex of sheep tested for Q fever. The seroprevalence was higher in animals greater than 2 years 41 (12.1%) than in animals less than 2 years 8 (9.8%). There were no significant associations between age and infection with Q-fever even though that animal greater than 2 years showed higher prevalence than those less than 2 years. The highest seroprevalence 22 (12.3%) was recorded in Yankasa sheep, and the least seroprevalence 8(9.9%) was recorded in Uda. The seroprevalence of 19 (13.6%), 16 (11.4%) and 14 (10.0%) were recorded in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua zones respectively. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the breed and location of the animals tested for Q fever infection. This study concludes that Q-fever is endemic in sheep in Yobe State. Enlightenment campaign is recommended to educate the livestock farmers, herders and the general public on the dangers of Q-fever infection. There is need for large scale epidemiological investigation of the disease in other livestock farms in the state.