Evaluation of Challenges Faced by Nigerian Veterinary Laboratory Staff in the Diagnosis of Avian Influenza

This study was designed to evaluate challenges faced by the Nigerian Veterinary Laboratory Staff which militates against effective diagnosis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Nigeria. The investigation was carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Jos and five designated Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals at Ibadan, Nsukka, Maiduguri, Sokoto and Zaria using a well structured questionnaire with the provision for questions on staff strength, skills, availability of laboratory reagents/equipment and availability of funds, etc. Of the 69 questionnaires distributed, the result showed that 36.2% of the staff did not respond to the questionnaire, while 14.5% indicated lack of facilities for all the methods,17.4% indicated lack of facilities to carry out RT-PCR, while, 7.2%, 8.7% and 4.3% indicated lack of facilities to carry out Rapid test, Serology and Viral isolation respectively. In conclusion, lack of funding, inadequate staff, training, reagents, basic equipment and facilities required for HPAI diagnosis as well as the dearth of Veterinary laboratory technologists are the major challenges being faced by Veterinary laboratory staff in the diagnosis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Nigeria.