Serological Survey of Newcastle Disease in Free Ranging Local Chickens in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

A serological survey was carried out in four area councils (Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali) of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus in local chickens using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. In each area council, one hundred sera samples were collected from apparently healthy local chickens with no history of vaccination. Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali area councils had prevalence of 37, 44, 79, and 68%, respectively. The overall prevalence of antibody to Newcastle disease in the four area councils was 57%. This study shows that Newcastle disease virus is circulating in local chickens in the study area, and this may pose a serious threat to the commercial poultry industry within these four area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where this study was carried out.