Seroprevalence and risk factors of sheep and goat pox virus in selected districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Sheep and goat pox (SGP) virus infection is a highly fatal viral infection of small ruminants that causes major production losses in sheep and goats in Ethiopia while also limiting international trade. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SGP infection and assess related risk variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2023 on 384 serum samples taken from sheep and goats. A serum neutralization test was conducted to detect the presence of antibodies against the SGP virus in Wolaita Sodo Regional Laboratory. The overall seroprevalence rate of SGP was 4.95%. Factors such as sheep (8.26%), female sheep and goats (7.45%), older sheep and goats (8.33%), larger flock size of sheep and goats (10.47%), poorly conditioned sheep and goats (31.58%), sheep and goats with a tick on their skin (10.38%), and animals that had not been vaccinated (5.17%) were found to have higher seroprevalence. Furthermore, the seropositivity in sheep was five times greater than in goats (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-15.99). Additionally, large-sized flocks of sheep and goats were more likely to be seropositive to pox disease than small-sized flocks (AOR, 6.73; 95% CI, 1.58-28.67). Thus, the study revealed the prevalence of SGP in the Wolaita zone. Additional research should be conducted to estimate the extent of the disease at the regional level, and management measures should be implemented to reduce the economic losses associated with this condition.

Kassa F ，Fesseha H ，Mathewos M ，Getachew S ，Hundessa N ，Aliye S ，Asefa Kebede I ... -  《-》

Sero-prevalence, risk factors and distribution of sheep and goat pox in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Fentie T ，Fenta N ，Leta S ，Molla W ，Ayele B ，Teshome Y ，Nigatu S ，Assefa A ... -  《BMC Veterinary Research》

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of pox infection among sheep and goats in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia.

Sheep and goat pox virus infection is highly devastating viral disease of small ruminants that cause severe production losses in sheep and goats in Ethiopia and also limits international trade. A cross-sectional study was employed with the objective to estimate the seroprevalence of pox infection and to assess associated risk factors during the study period, February to April, 2020. A total of 384 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy sheep and goats. Serum neutralization test was used to detect the presence of antibodies against pox virus at national veterinary institute. Descriptive statistics, univariable and Multivariable logistic analyses were used in this study. The overall animal level seroprevalence of sheep and goat pox virus was found to be 15.36% (n = 59/384) and species level prevalence rate was found to be 14.5% (n = 16/110) in sheep and 15.69% (n = 43/274) in goats in the study areas. Among the associated factors considered in this study, sex (P = 0.010), age (P = 0.012) and herd size (P = 0.029) were found to be statistically associated with seropositivity of pox infection in multivariable logistic regression. The odds of seropositivity in female animals were 3.9 times more likely to develop pox infection than male animals (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.203-4.015%) and the odds of young animals were 2.14 times more likely to be seropositive to pox infection than old aged animals (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.169-3.633%). Moreover, the odds of large-sized flocks of animals were 3.10 times more likely to be seropositive to pox disease than small-sized flocks (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.30-4.42%). This study finding revealed that sheep and goat pox virus is prevalent and widespread diseases of small ruminant in afar region. Therefore, further study should be carried out to estimate region wise magnitude of the disease and control measures should be put in place to minimize the economic losses associated with this disease.

Dubie T ，Dagnew B ，Hamid M ，Bizuayehu F ，Fentahun G ... -  《Heliyon》

Seroepidemiology of Peste des Petits ruminants in sheep and goats in the selected district of Horu Guduru Zone, Western Ethiopia.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly contagious, economically important transboundary viral disease of small ruminants. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of PPR in small ruminants in selected districts of Horo Guduru Zone, Western Ethiopia. A total of 806 blood samples, corresponding to 124 flocks comprised of 387 sheep and 419 goats, were collected using multi-stage sampling. The sera were tested using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on potential risk factors for PPRV infection. Pearson's Chi-Square and logistic regression analyses were used to see the association of the seroprevalence with potential risk factors. The flock-level overall seroprevalence of PPR was 27.42% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.79-36.15%). An overall animal level seroprevalence of 5.71% (95% CI: 4.21-7.54%) was recorded with 6.98% (95% CI: 4.65-10.00%) seroprevalence in sheep and 4.53% (95% CI: 2.75-6.99%) in goats. There was a significant association between the seroprevalence and risk factors that were sharing common grazing land (P = 0.032), the introduction of newly purchased animals into the flock (P = 0.011), and uncontrolled animal movements in goats (P = 0.018). Sharing common grazing land with other flocks in goats (P = 0.026) and midland altitude in sheep (P = 0.029) were the other predictors of PPR. The seropositivity in unvaccinated small ruminants suggests the circulation of the virus. Therefore, awareness creation, vaccination, strengthening the disease surveillance system and large-scale epidemiological and molecular studies are suggested.

Gelana M ，Gebremedhin EZ ，Gizaw D 《-》

The extent and impact of sheep pox and goat pox in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Garner MG ，Sawarkar SD ，Brett EK ，Edwards JR ，Kulkarni VB ，Boyle DB ，Singh SN ... -  《TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION》