Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of African swine fever (ASF) disease in Benin. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 70 pig farms from the Departement of Atlantique and Oueme and also by using the data available from the Directorate of Livestock on the spread of ASF in Benin from 2014 to 2018. The prevalence of ASF was assessed with 106 nasal swabs from apparently healthy domestic pigs and 15 organ samples from dead ASF-suspected pigs. ASF virus detection was carried out by conventional polymerase chain reac¬tion using Qiagen Kit for DNA extraction. Data recorded were processed with SAS software (2006). Results: It appears that ASF is an endemic disease in Benin with the Department of Oueme as the hotspot of dissemination of the virus in the country. The losses due to ASF recorded from 2014 to 2018 are evaluated to 884,850,000 CFA Franc by estimating the average cost of a pig at 25,000 FCFA. A prevalence of 1.89% (CI at 95%, 0.713.49) was recorded for live animals with a positive result in organs from all dead pigs suspected of ASF. Breeding practices related to the sharing of breeding males, scavenging pigs, and non-compliance with biosecurity measures were the risk factors identified. Conclusion: The present study sheds light on the areas prone to the ASF virus in Benin. Moreover, the cross-sectional data recorded on the prevalence of ASF will help to better rule on the spread of the disease. It would be interesting for the Beninese Republic to increase its efforts for ASF control. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 464-470]

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in Benin. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, the blood samples were taken from 932 cattle: 573 from slaughterhouses and 359 from the farms of the targeted divisions. After the blood samples, thick drops and blood smears were made. The capillary tubes filled with blood made it possible to determine the hematocrit in cattle. Results: The prevalence of trypanosomosis in farms (27.02%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of animals in slaughterhouses (16.75%). In farms, the prevalence was 38.55% during the rainy season against 16.67% in the dry season (p < 0.001). In slaughterhouses, prevalences were 10.99%, 17.58%, and 21.50%, respectively, in Bohicon, Cotonou/Porto-Novo, and Parakou. Hematocrit in slaughterhouses was 24.17% and 31.44%, respectively, in infested and non-infested animals. In farms, this rate was 22.85% in infested animals and 29.31% in non-infested animals (p < 0.05). Young cattle are more vulnerable to trypanosomosis than older cattle. Conclusion: Given the endemic situation of bovine trypanosomosis and its impact on the econ¬omy, this knowledge of the health status of cattle will help out to seek ways and alternatives to reduce the damage. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 6-15]

Objective: Rhipicephalus microplus is a very invasive tick whose control is a current challenge. Its speed of propagation is favored by specific risk factors whose knowledge is an essential prerequisite for a good rather design of strategies to put in place for its control. This study consisted of evaluating the influence of transhumance on the spread of this tick in Benin. Materials and methods: To achieve this objective, two sets of tick sampling were carried out on five animals before and after transhumance in 80 autochthon herds from 8 municipalities in Benin. Results: The abundance of R. microplus varies significantly between breeding type, hosting type, period of ticks collection and between some of their interactions such as: breeding - period, hosting - period and breeding - hosting - period. In addition, the abundance of R. microplus according to each of these factors before transhumance differs significantly from the one observed after transhumance; the parasite load of R. microplus observed before transhumance is much higher than that observed after transhumance. Transhumance contributes to the spread of R. microplus in Benin. Conclusion: It represents a risk factor on which health risk managers could act in terms of surveillance and control of this cattle tick by carrying out the de-parasitage in the health campaign programs of transhumant animals. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 226-232]

Objective: This study aimed to make an inventory of animal diseases that affect milk production and the plants locally used against these diseases. Materials and methods: A survey was carried out from April to August 2013 in 41 farms in department of Collines, 40 in Alibori, 40 in Borgou and 21 in Mono using questionnaires. SAS software was used with Chi-square test and bilateral Z test. Results: The study revealed twelve main pathologies that limit milk production. Among these pathologies, foot-and-mouth disease and trypanosomiasis were the most mentioned pathologies. To fight these pathologies, 60 medicinal plants of 32 families were recorded. The most cited families were Leguminosae (31.67%), Combretaceae (6.67%), Meliaceae (5%) and Rubiaceae (5%), whereas the predominant species used by animal keepers were Khaya senagalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Securidaca longipedunculata. The 60 listed species were used in 85 recipes which varied from one department and farmer to another. The most used organs were plant barks (41.06%) and roots (31.13%), while the most common methods of preparation were decoction (37.5%), maceration (32.5%) and powders (22.5%). Oral route was the main route of administration.Conclusion: The inventory has shown that the important pathologies are foot-and-mouth disease and trypanosomiasis. This needs immediate actions. Barks and roots were the commonly employed plant organs used as infusion (decoction and maceration) and powder that farmers administer orally to animals. The harvest did not require a special season or time. Furthermore, farmers inherited most of these recipes from their parents and they use them because of their effectiveness. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 1-14]