Background: Ovine oestrosis is an economically important and widely distributed parasitic disease of sheep that is caused by Oestrus ovis larvae across the world. Despite the fact that Oestrus ovis is a common parasite in Ethiopia and that there are many sheep in the study area, there is no information on the prevalence, larval burden, predilection sites, and risk factors associated with Oestrus ovis infestation in sheep in the Dendi district of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018, to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and larval burden, and identify common predilection sites for Oestrus ovis larvae. A total of 180 sheep heads were randomly selected from five purposely selected restaurants in Ginchi town, Dendi district, transported to the laboratory, opened with a hand saw, and visually examined for infestations. The larvae were collected from positive sheep heads and counted. The sites where the larvae were obtained were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.
Results: Of the total of 180 examined sheep heads, 104 (57.8%) were infested with larvae of Oestrus ovis. In the study, a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was not observed in the prevalence of Oestrus ovis in relation to all considered risk factors such as sex, age, and origin of sheep. From 104 infested sheep, a total of 664 larvae were detected in different parts of sheep heads. The mean larval intensity per infected animal with Oestrus ovis was 6.38. In this study, the minimum and maximum numbers of larvae recovered were 1 and 26, respectively. The nasal cavity, nasal sinus and frontal sinus were the predilection sites of Oestrus ovis larvae identified in this study.
Conclusion: Oestrosis is an important and common parasitic disease of sheep in the study area.
Background: Households consider their dogs and cats as their close friends. They act as companion animals. The contact between pets and their owners results in transmission of zoonotic disease. In Ethiopia, dogs and cats are the most abundant carnivores, and diseases associated with them affect wide parts of the community. There is limited knowledge, practice, and attitude within the communities toward pet contact associated zoonotic disease.
Methods: A community-based semi-structured questionnaire complemented with an interview was delivered to 633 household pets' owners in Sibu Sire, Jimaa Arjo, and Wayu Tuqa districts in Western Ethiopia to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices toward pet contact associated zoonotic disease.
Results: Socio-demographically, 54.6% of the study participants were female. According to this finding concerning common pet contact zoonotic disease, 70% of the respondents had knowledge about rabies, with Echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, and ring worm also being commonly heard of. Contamination of feed and water (21.71%) and animal bites (21.01%) are the predominant modes of transmission, whereas animal waste, fecal oral route, and touching pets are also common ways for disseminating zoonotic disease. The dominant symptoms noted by respondents were behavioral change, depression, lack of appetite, itching, and diarrhea. In all attitude-related responses, there was a significant association (p<0.05) between the number of respondents and the variable studied. There was also a statistically significant association of KAP score (p<0.05) with educational rank and the work of respondents.
Conclusion: This study indicates the importance of pet ownership to the community, which is also associated with transmitting different zoonotic diseases. Moreover, there are inconsistencies on regular veterinary use, pet management, and proper prevention and treatment measures of the disease. Coordinated efforts are expected from different stakeholders in enhancing community KAP level towards pet contact associated zoonosis.
Background: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious viral disease challenging poultry industry throughout the world. It is also among the main obstacles in the different chicken production system in Ethiopia. This study was conducted with the aim of determining seroprevalence and associated risk factors of IBD in backyard and intensively managed chickens of the study area.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected districts of western Oromia on intensive and backyard production systems to investigate seroprevalence of IBD and associated risk factors from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 384 chickens of either sex, 128 from each district, were included from three randomly selected peasant associations (PAs). In addition, 180 individual poultry keepers, of both sexes, and different educational backgrounds, were included for questionnaire survey (Supplementary Material). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version-20, and results were presented as percentages. The samples were processed by using (ProFLOKIBV, USA) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) kits.
Results: Out of 384 serum samples tested, 66.93% (n = 257) were found positive by indirect ELISA. The highest prevalence was recorded from Sasiga district Balo Bareda PA. Prevalence of IBD showed significant statistical association (p < 0.05) among owner education level, chicken rearing practice, origin and breed. Questionnaire survey results showed the majority of respondents lack sufficient knowledge about IBD and other chicken diseases. The practice of backyard chicken producers on vaccination and treatment of sick birds is limited.
Conclusion: In conclusion, IBD is a major factor hindering production and health of birds. Proper vaccination programs coordinated with awareness creation of chicken owners on how to isolate and treat sick birds should be implemented.
Purpose: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is one of the most endemic diseases of commercial poultry in Ethiopia. Vaccination is used as the major means of IBD prevention and control. A study was conducted to compare the immunogenicity of two commercially available IBD vaccines in broiler chicken with maternally derived antibody (MDA).
Methods: A total of 270 day-one-old chicks were randomly assigned to three groups, group 1 vaccinated with product A vaccine at the age of 7 and 19 days and group 2 with product B vaccine on day 15 and 22 while group 3 were kept as control. Six chickens were also randomly selected and bled on day 1 for differential leukocyte count (DLC) and determination of MDA. Representative chickens from each group were bled at 24th and 42nd days of age for antibody titration using the indirect ELISA test. DLC scores were determined in the 1st and 24th days.
Results: The result revealed highly significant differences (P = 0.001) between group 1 and group 2 in DLC at 24th days of age. Antibody titers against IBD were differed significantly (P = 0.02) at 24th and 42nd days of age in broilers vaccinated with product A and product B vaccines.
Conclusion: Both vaccines have induced an adequate immunological response at the end of the experiment; however, product A has shown significantly higher antibody titers against the IBDV and DLC than product B.
Brucellosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease that causes serious problems in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Brucella abortus is the primary cause of brucellosis in cattle, and Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis also occasionally cause Brucella infection in cattle. Abortion and the retained fetal membrane are typical signs in females, whereas orchitis and bursitis are the known signs in male cattle. Brucellosis is typically transmitted to healthy cattle by direct or indirect contact with diseased cattle or their discharges. Humans can acquire brucellosis through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products, and through contact with diseased cattle or their discharges. The occurrence of bovine brucellosis is affected by different factors related to the management system, host, and environmental factors. In Ethiopia, the occurrence of brucellosis is high in pastoral and mixed cattle management systems, wherever humans live closely with cattle and so have a higher probability of picking up the Brucella organism. The most suitable technique in the management of Brucella infection is the vaccination of young female cattle. Brucella abortus can also be eradicated by the isolation of diseased cattle, administration of immunizing agents, and test-and-slaughter methods. Therefore, it is important to implement applicable management techniques and to increase public awareness about the transmission of brucellosis, and further research should be conducted on brucellosis in high-risk groups.
Purpose: Mastitis is a disease known to cause a great deal of loss of production and has a major economic impact. In the study area, there is little current information on bovine mastitis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of bovine mastitis and its associated risk factors and isolate the major pathogenic bacteria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2020 to September 2020 in selected dairy farms of Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. A total of 422 lactating cows were diagnosed for mastitis using the California mastitis test, clinical examination, and bacteriological methods.
Results: The overall prevalence of bovine mastitis determined in the area was 17.1% (72 of 422), of which 1.9% (eight of 422) was clinical and 15.2% (64 of 422) subclinical. Of 1,662 quarters examined, 7.94% (132) were positive. Bacteriological methods were also used to isolate the major pathogenic bacterial species associated with bovine mastitis. From 72 composite milk samples, growth of six different groups of bacteria was recorded in 64 (88.9%) samples. The most predominant bacterial pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (42.6%), ahead of Streptococcus spp. (26.2%), non-aureus staphylococci (14.8%), and Escherichia coli (11.5%). Salmonella spp. (3.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.6%) were the least isolated bacterial pathogens. Among risk factors, breed, parity, udder depth, and tick infestation of the udder showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) regarding the occurrence of mastitis.
Conclusion: The current study revealed that mastitis is one of the health problems affecting dairy cows in Gamo. Enhancing the awareness of dairy farmers, regular screening, and improving hygienic conditions are critically important to control and prevent bovine mastitis in the study area.
Background: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) has been known to cause high morbidity and mortality in chickens resulting in considerable financial losses to poultry producers. This study was performed with the objectives of estimating the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of IBD in backyard chickens in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A total of 482 serum samples were collected from chickens reared under backyard systems using a multi-stage cross-sectional study design. The serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-IBDV antibodies using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire survey was also performed to identify risk factors affecting chicken production in the study area.
Results: From the total of 482 serum samples tested, 236 (48.96%; 95% CI: 44.32-53.42) were positive for anti-IBDV antibodies. Higher seroprevalence was recorded in Humbo district (55.75%; 95% CI: 46.11-65.09) followed by Sodo Zuria (51.54%; 95% CI: 42.62-60.39), Damotgale (46.22%; 95% CI: 36.49-56.18), and Kindokoysha district (42.86%; 95% CI: 34.32-51.72) although the difference was not statistically significant. Significantly lower prevalence was recorded in indigenous chickens (43.36%; 95% CI: 37.53-49.32) compared to exotic chickens (57.14%; 95% CI: 49.89-64.17). The odds of occurrence of IBD in the local chicken breed was 0.67 times lower than that of the exotic chicken breed. The odds of occurrence of IBD in chickens from flock size ≥5 chickens was 4.33 times higher than chickens from flock size <5 chickens. A statistically significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between treatment history and isolation of sick chickens with mortality in the flock.
Conclusion: This study revealed that IBD is one of the major infectious diseases that affect the traditionally managed chickens in the study area with the flock size and breed of chickens are identified as important risk factors for IBD occurrence. Besides, chicken producers did not have enough knowledge about the nature and epidemiology of IBD. Thus, proper management practices together with appropriate vaccination programs are necessary to reduce IBD incidence in the study areas.
Background: Although calf management is the cornerstone of dairy cattle productivity and profitability, little attention is given by researchers particularly in developing nations including Ethiopia. Therefore, this research was conducted to characterize calf management and hygiene practices adopted by dairy farmers at Wondo Genet, a potential milk shed for southern Ethiopia.
Methods: Calf management and hygiene practice-related data were collected from 57 dairy farms through a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire and personal observation. All sampled farms were visited once by technical staff and administered the questionnaire by face-to-face interview during the period February 2017 to December 2019. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The majority (96.5%) of the farms had a slatted calf pen floor that was made of concrete. Although more than half of the farms (57.9%) had a good calf pen drainage system, only some (n = 8, 14%) are cleaned on a daily basis. All the calves (100%) had a history of calf scour, 96% survived from cowdriosis (heartwater). The majority of the calves born in the dairy farms (68.5%) received colostrum within 30 minutes of birth, but most of them (82.5%) were fed with waste milk till weaning age. Although the majority of the farms separately house recently born calves, 24.6% of the farms raise their calves together with other domestic animals.
Conclusion and recommendation: Dairy farm owners in the study area adopted some established risky calf management and hygiene practices that might lead to high calf morbidity/mortality in the farm. Awareness creation and further study to identify the specific causes of mortality and morbidity should be in place to improve the management and hygiene of calves and implement specific control and preventive measures.

