Serological and Community Awareness Study of Lumpy Skin Disease in Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Sidama Regional State, Southern Ethiopia.

The lumpy skin disease (LSD) vaccination status and epidemiological distribution remain unknown in some parts of Ethiopia, including the Sidama regional state. In this study, a serological survey of LSD was performed using a specific virus neutralization assay in selected districts of the Sidama regional state representing three agroecological zones from September 2021 to June 2022. Moreover, an assessment of community awareness and LSD vaccine-related problems was conducted using a questionnaire. Our results showed an overall animal and herd level seroprevalence of 40.8% (95%CI = 35.8, 45.8) and 81% (95%CI = 77, 85), respectively. High and low seroprevalence were observed in lowland (48%) and highland (28%) areas, although they were not statistically significant. However, risk factors such as management systems and breeds showed substantial differences in their LSD prevalence. The results obtained through the questionnaire showed that a small portion of respondents (29.2%) know about LSD and vaccinate their cattle (23.3%) against this disease. Only 20.8% of the respondents stated that there was LSD occurrence in their vaccinated cattle. In conclusion, both qualitative and quantitative study results showed the need for intervention in terms of community-based awareness creation about LSD clinical signs and vaccination advantages together with the frequently updated information on LSD prevalence.

Putting the cart before the horse: mixed-methods participatory investigation of working equid harnessing practices in three selected towns of the Oromia national regional state in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Millions of working equids provide socio-economic support for many low-income communities worldwide. With the prevalence of harness-related wounds reported as higher than 60%, this study aims to describe the equipment used by working equids in three locations of the Ethiopian national regional state of Oromia (Fiche, Bishoftu and Shashamene), and the attitudes and practices of equid owners, users and harness makers regarding work equipment. This mixed-methods study consists of cross-sectional surveying of working equids used for taxi or transport of goods or water, as well as cart-driver questionnaires and focus groups (FG) with working equid stakeholders. Activities conducted with FG included participatory ranking of equipment attributes and equipment drawing exercises. Indicators of equipment design and assembly, as well as cart-driver attitudes and practices were described quantitatively. Associations between equipment characteristics and species, work-type and cart-driver indicators were investigated through univariable logistic regression models, whereas focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: In total, 368 working equid surveys and cart-driver questionnaires were completed and 87 participants took part in nine FG. Equipment composition and characteristics differed considerably from ideal animal draught and harnessing principles described in the literature, with none of the observed harnesses adhering to all principles and thus not considered fully adequate. Various harness compositions were used, with only saddles and breast collars present in all. Donkey equipment had fewer components than that of horses, such as swingle trees (OR 0.02; 95% CI 0.01-0.06; p < 0.001) or girths (OR 0.09; 95%CI 0.02-0.4; p = 0.002). Horse equipment was more likely to have functional elements such as breeching (OR 7.8; 95% CI 2.9-20.9; p < 0.001). Of all equipment attributes, FG participants ranked cost, design and impact on animal wellbeing as having the highest importance. Thematic analysis identified motivations and priorities regarding equipment; awareness and knowledge of design and function; barriers to using ideal equipment; and consequences of equipment design and practices as key themes. CONCLUSIONS: Various weaknesses of design, assembly and use of equid work equipment were identified. Promoting behavioural change through awareness and training could lead to a sustainable improvement of work equipment quality, access, and prevention of equipment-related problems.

Epidemiology of newcastle disease in village chicken in melokoza district, gofa zone, southwest Ethiopia.

Poultry production contributes significantly to the livelihoods of Ethiopian farmers and the national economy, although it is hampered by different factors, including infectious diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to May 2020 in Melokoza District, Gofa Zone, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to estimate the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in unvaccinated chickens and to identify the risk factors associated with the disease. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select chickens from individual chicken owners. A total of 405 blood samples were collected and submitted to the national veterinary institute in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Hemaglutination inhibition test was performed to detect antibodies from the collected chickens' serum. Both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed by using the STATA statistical software package. The test result showed that the overall seroprevalence was 68.8% (95% CI: 64%, 73%). The highest seroprevalence of 86% (58/67) was recorded in Gazar kebele (lowland), whereas the lowest seroprevalence of 45% (32/71) was recorded in Maizelo (highland). Sex, age, altitude and management practice risk factors showed significant associations (p < 0.05) with the disease prevalence. In conclusion, this study emphasized the prevailing higher prevalence of Newcastle disease in free-scavenging chickens. Regular vaccination for Newcastle disease is therefore recommended. Further studies are warranted to better understand the circulating strain and its economic effect on backyard poultry production in the study area.

Epidemiological investigations of Salmonella and Escherichia coli associated morbidity and mortality in layer chickens in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: This study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the morbidity and mortality rates in layer chickens, identifying the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality, and identifying the major bacterial pathogens affecting small-scale commercial layers in Hawassa. A longitudinal observational study design was employed from November 2019 to March 2020. The chickens on selected farms were checked for morbidity and mortality twice a week. During each visit, clinical examination of sick birds and pathological investigation of dead birds were conducted. Cloaca samples were collected for isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. and E. coli. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to quantify the effects of various risk factors on the morbidity and mortality rates observed. Results: Of the 8976 chickens followed, 106 developed clinical disease, giving a morbidity of 1.18% (95% CI: 0.97, 1.43). The overall morbidity rate was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.94, 2.87) per 1000 chicken months. A total of 101 of the chickens under study were found dead, yielding a mortality of 1.13% (95% CI: 0.92, 1.37) and a mortality rate of 2.26 (95% CI: 1.84, 2.75). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that farm hygiene, the experience of farm manager, housing condition, housing systems, the availability of veterinary services and age of chicken were important risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Out of 58 cloacal samples collected from sick chickens, 7 (12.07%; 95% CI: 4.99, 23.29) yielded positive results for Salmonella spp., while 25 (43.10%; 95% CI: 30.16, 56.77) yielded positive results for E. coli. Out of swabs collected from 8 randomly selected sick chickens after necropsy, 3 (37.5%) were found to be positive for Salmonella spp. Four (50%) of them were positive for E. coli. Swabs were collected and cultured from 15 dead chickens, and of these, 2 (13.33%) and 7 (46.67%) were found to be positive for Salmonella spp. and E. coli, respectively. Farm hygiene, age of chickens, housing conditions and frequency antibiotics use were important risk factors for colibacillosis and salmonellosis. Conclusions: Although the incidence of chicken morbidity and mortality was relatively low in the present study, important risk factors have been identified in the poultry farms of Hawassa City, southern Ethiopia. Therefore, comprehensive poultry farm management practices are needed to mitigate risk factors for morbidity and mortality as well as colibacillosis and salmonellosis. Identification of the serotypes of Salmonella spp. and E. coli should be carried out.

Epidemiological investigation of morbidity and mortality of improved breeds of chickens in small holder poultry farms in selected districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia.

Background: A longitudinal study was conducted in six intensive and three semi-intensive poultry farms in Shebedino and Dale districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia from November 2018 to May 2019. The objectives of the study were to estimate incidence rates of mortality and morbidity, identify the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality and establish differential diagnosis of major diseases affecting poultry in the area. Chickens belonging to two breeds namely Sasso, and Bovans Brown reared in purposively selected small-scale farms was included from two districts. The chickens on the selected farms were monitored for morbidity and mortality every week. Diagnosis of different diseases was made based on the flock history, age of birds, clinical signs, characteristic gross and microscopic lesions, and fecal flotation technique for coccidiosis. Semi-structured questionnaires were also administered to gather information on the risk factors and farming practices. Results: The incidence rate of morbidity and mortality in the studied farms was 16.14 and 12.69 per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. The minimum and maximum incidence rates of morbidity were 2.02 and 58.43 cases per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. The minimum and maximum incidence rates of mortality were 0.21 and 58.18 deaths per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. Among the risk factors studied feed type, age of chickens, and number of sick chickens on farms were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the incidence of disease. Age of chickens and number of sick chickens found on the farms were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the incidence of death using multivariable logistic regression. Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Fowl typhoid, and Coccidiosis were the important diseases identified during the follow up period in the study area. Of the overall mortality and morbidity, 90.48% and 42% were respectively attributed to ND. Infectious bursal disease and Coccidia co-infection occurred in 31.55% of chicken in the infected farms. Conclusions: The present study documented the incidence rate of morbidity and mortality in smallholder poultry farms in selected districts of Sidama Region. The study findings indicated that infectious diseases appear to be a major constraint to improve chicken production in the study areas. Therefore, the veterinary and livestock authorities should take this into account when planning poultry development activities and setting up systems of livestock production and health monitoring.

Brucellosis in the Addis Ababa dairy cattle: the myths and the realities.

BACKGROUND: Bovine brucellosis is considered as an important disease among livestock and people in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to May 2017 to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors, and to assess knowledge-attitude and practices (KAP) of farm workers about bovine brucellosis in Addis Ababa dairy farms. RESULTS: A total of 1550 cattle from 127 dairy farms were serially tested using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (c-ELISA) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Forty-three (2.77%) of the collected sera were positive by the RBPT and only one of these was positive by c-ELISA (0.06%) and none was positive by CFT. The knowledge of farm workers towards the disease was very low and risk factors associated with Brucella infection were apparent in the study area. CONCLUSION: Seropositivity for Brucella spp. was found in only a very small percentage by c-ELISA test, although risk factors for transmitting Brucella infection were present. The results suggest that bovine brucellosis is currently not a generalized problem in dairy cattle of Addis Ababa. Since this favorable disease situation is not the result of informed policy, there is no guarantee that it will continue unchanged. Setting clear policy in control of the disease and implementing "One Health" are the most constructive approaches recommended.