Serological detection of antibodies against Hepatitis E virus among Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic disease with increasing endemicity in many countries around the world. At the moment no data on the status of and epidemiology of HEV in camels an important livestock in the semi-arid and arid parts of Nigeria. This study determined HEV seroprevalence in two areas (with high population of camel in Nigeria) using indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Out of 88 camels sampled, HEV antibodies were detected in 27 suggesting a prevalence rate of 30.7%. Higher rates were observed among camels in Maigatari LGA (22.7%) compared with 7.9% in Suletankarkar LGA, Jigawa State. These findings reinforce the need for further studies on molecular characterization and evolutionary diversity in Camel as well as pastoralists in Nigeria.