Retrospective study of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreaks from 2017 to 2021 in Plateau State, Nigeria

Since its emergence in Nigeria in 2006, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remains a major setback to the advancement of the poultry industry and intermittent outbreaks are still occurring across the country. The virus is zoonotic, with cases reported in humans. A Five-year retrospective study was conducted to extract information on the resurgence of the disease specifically the trend, geographical distribution, species of birds affected, mortality and zoonotic potential of the virus in Plateau State from 2017 to 2021. This was carried out by reviewing the available case reports and line lists of outbreaks of HPAI in the Avian Influenza desk office, Plateau State. Data were obtained and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.  The results obtained showed that a total of 49 HPAI outbreaks were reported in Plateau State from 2017 to 2021, with the highest (53.06%) reported in 2021, the lowest (4.08%) in 2019 and no outbreak (0.0%) reported in 2018 and 2020. Layers were predominantly affected (59.19%). The outbreaks of Avian Influenza (HPAI) were reported in 5 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with the highest (53.06%) reported in Jos North and the lowest (2.04%) in Jos East and Mangu LGAs. The distribution of outbreaks by LGA and year showed that HPAI outbreaks were reported in 4 LGAs (Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Mangu) in 2017, 2 LGAs (Jos North and Jos South) in 2019 and 4 LGAs (Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Jos East) in 2021. Consequently, enhanced surveillance for Avian Influenza and awareness creation on prevention and control across Plateau State along with further motivation and support from the government are recommended.