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Detection and genetic characterization of orf virus from sheep and goats in Nigeria

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Abstract

Orf is a contagious, viral epitheliotropic disease of small ruminants. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of orf virus (ORFV) in breeds of small ruminants to determine the evolutionary diversity in Nigeria. Out of 54 small ruminants screened, the number of animals that were positive for ORFV in the three locations were 25. The distribution of positive animals by location were FCT 45.0% (n = 9/20), Oyo State 42.9% (6/14), and Plateau State 50.0% (n = 10/20). ORFV sequences from this study clustered with viruses detected in Taiwan, Iran, USA, and France. Our findings highlight the risk of transmission across geographic boundaries in Nigeria and West Africa, and reinforces the need for increased surveillance to prevent and control spread. Comprehensive characterization of ORFV in small ruminants as well as in humans in Nigeria is required to better elucidate the epidemiological dynamics and the virus evolution.

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Data availability

Sequences with accession numbers ON493784-9, OK340630-42 and MW201235 obtained and used in this study are publicly available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Virology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200005, Nigeria

    B. A. Onoja

  2. Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    A. M. Adamu & P. F. Horwood

  3. College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    A. M. Adamu & P. F. Horwood

  4. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, 900105, Nigeria

    A. M. Adamu, A. S. Anyang & G. K. Omeiza

  5. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, University of Jos, Jos, 930003, Nigeria

    A. O. Oragwa

  6. Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Abuja, Abuja, 900105, Nigeria

    O. H. Olabode

Authors
  1. B. A. Onoja
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  2. A. M. Adamu
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  3. A. S. Anyang
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  4. A. O. Oragwa
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  5. G. K. Omeiza
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  6. O. H. Olabode
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  7. P. F. Horwood
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Contributions

Conceptualization: B.A.O., A.M.A., P.F.H.; methodology: B.A.O., A.S.A.; supervision: A.M.A., P.F.H.; formal analysis: B.A.O., P.F.H.; investigation: B.A.O.; writing: B.A.O., A.M.A., A.S.A.; original draft: B.A.O., A.SA.; writing—review: A.M.A.; editing: A.O.O., G.K.O.; project administration: B.A.O., A.M.A.; funding acquisition: B.A.O.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. A. Onoja.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Onoja, B.A., Adamu, A.M., Anyang, A.S. et al. Detection and genetic characterization of orf virus from sheep and goats in Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 56, 77 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-03893-4

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