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Knowledge and practices of hepatitis E virus disease prevention among pig handlers in selected local government areas of Enugu State, Nigeria

*1Eya, N. J., 1Onyemelukwe, F. N., 2Chukwubike, M. C., and [1]Chukwukelu, N. V.

1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria

2Molecular Virology Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria

3Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: nnennajuliet2017@gmail.com; +2348064519137

 

Abstract:

 Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with significant public health implications, particularly among pig handlers who are at increased risk due to occupational exposure. Despite the growing pig farming industry in Enugu State, Nigeria, awareness and preventive practices related to HEV remain poorly understood. This study assessed the knowledge and preventive measures of HEV among pig handlers in Enugu State, identifying key demographic factors influencing awareness and hygiene practices. Continue reading “Knowledge and practices of hepatitis E virus disease prevention among pig handlers in selected local government areas of Enugu State, Nigeria”

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Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus among swine and poultry birds in Lagos, Nigeria

1,2Salu, O. B., 3,4Mutiu, B. P., 1Etok, M. J., 2Orenolu, M. R., 2Anyanwu, R. A., 2Abdullah, M. A., 3,5Saka, B. A., 3,6Abdus-Salam, I. A., 7Macaulay, R. M., 2,8Oyedeji, K. S., and *1,2,9Omilabu, S. A.

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

2Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology (CHAZVY), Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL)/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria

3Lagos State Bio-bank Laboratory, Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

4Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

5Centre for Biomedical Research Initiatives (CBRI), Nigeria

6Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Alausa Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

7Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture (LSMOA), Alausa Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

8Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

9Department of Microbiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, P.M.B. 2013, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: somilabu@unilag.edu.ng; Tel: +2348023119431

Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the only hepatitis virus that replicates in humans and a wide range of animal hosts, is a significant public health enteric virus with a growing trend of infection globally. The public and environmental implications associated with HEV as a zoonotic transmitted virus remain to be fully elucidated. Thus, with the limited information on HEV in other species other than humans in Nigeria, this study aimed to detect by molecular methods HEV among some livestock in Lagos, Nigeria. Continue reading “Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus among swine and poultry birds in Lagos, Nigeria”