Detection of Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Domestic Poultry in Kano State

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 continues to pose a zoonotic threat to human health through close contact with infected domestic poultry, particularly in densely populated poultry markets in northern Nigeria. This study detects avian influenza virus H5N1 in domestic poultry sampled from live bird markets in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs will be collected from 300 birds (chickens, ducks, guinea fowl) at three major live bird markets in Kano Municipal, Fagge, and Nasarawa local government areas. Samples will be processed for RNA extraction and real-time RT-PCR targeting H5-specific haemagglutinin gene sequences, following the FAO-EMPRES laboratory protocol. Positive samples will be confirmed at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State. Market hygiene conditions, bird species mixing, and bird movement records will be documented. HPAI H5N1 outbreaks have been reported in Kano State's poultry industry since 2006, with periodic re-emergence linked to bird trade from neighbouring countries. Findings will provide current H5N1 activity data for Kano's live bird market sector, supporting the Federal Ministry of Agriculture's surveillance capacity and informing targeted depopulation and disinfection protocols. This study contributes to HPAI preparedness under the One Health framework in North West Nigeria. Keywords: avian influenza, H5N1, live bird markets, Kano State, zoonosis