Bio
Fisseha Mengstie is a veterinary epidemiologist affiliated with the Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Bonga Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Ethiopia.
Educational Journey
veterinary epidemiologist
Experience
Southern Agricultural Research Institute
0 - 0Editors Role
Reviewer
GJMBR
0 -Research
Epidemiological Study of Small Ruminant Diseases in Selected Districts of Kaffa and Bench- Maji Zone, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRs), Ethiopia
An epidemiological survey of small ruminant disease was conducted in Boka-Shuta, Konda-Zuriya and Debre-Work kebelles of Kaffa and Bench-Maji zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and people’s regional state (SNNPRs), Ethiopia from July 2012 to June 2013. The objective of the study was to assess diseases of small ruminants affecting production and productivity; their occurrence and distribution; and associated risk factors. For these, Semi structured questioner format was prepared and survey was conducted. The result revealed that, 90.6%, 76.0% and 65.6% of interviewed farmers describe the multi-factorial causes of respiratory diseases; systemic diseases; and Gastro-intestinal parasite respectively were the most prevalent diseases irrespective of agro-ecology difference. The type of disease conditions documented in each agro-ecology had differences. Bloating (accumulation of excess amount of fluid in their abdominal cavity and blood tinged internal organs observed when slaughtered) followed by head circling in Boka-Shuta (highland); gastro intestinal parasite and head circling in Debre-Work (midland); and bottle jaw and orf in Konda-Zuriya (lowland) were the most prevalent and had serious problems in small ruminant production and productivity. Regarding the diseases occurrence and distribution, the highest cases were recorded in summer followed by autumn. Ewes/doe and lambs/kids were the most susceptible age group. Each specific disease conditions occurrence and distribution in this study had its own specific risk factor. In general, however, disease management methods and practices by the farmers, susceptible age groups and seasons of occurrence were important risk factors playing an important role. Thus, the production and productivity of small ruminant was highly determined by diseases conditions. The result presented here suggests that, ewes/doe and lambs/kids need special attention to prevent them from diseases to improve production and productivity. And also
Prevalence of Ovine Pasturellosis and In-vivo Evaluation of the Level of Protective Antibody Titer Before and After Ovine Pasteurollosis Vaccination in Bonga Sheep
Cross-sectional study for determining the prevalence of Ovine pasturellosis, in-vivo evaluation of the level of protective antibody titer before and after vaccination against the disease and proofing the farmers and animal health experts complaint of its cause on small ruminant production despite annual vaccination program against the disease in Adiyo district of Boka-Shuta and Buta Kebelle, Kaffa Zone. The study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2013 and the study kebelles were purposively selected based on sheep production potential, the disease’s report and farmers’ complaint on the vaccine’s inefficacy for protecting the sheep against the disease. For these, the study was designed to answer the above stated objectives with two consecutive phases, viz. prevalence study followed by in-vivo antibody titer evaluation. For prevalence study, 192 blood samples were needed and calculated, but for more accuracy 200 samples were collected randomly from previously unvaccinated sheep population (in less than 1 year) against ovine pasturellosis disease. For in-vivo evaluation, 52 blood samples were randomly collected from selected sheep population after they were vaccinated against ovine pasturellosis disease with P. multocida biotype A-vaccine by grouping them based on history of vaccination status (not vaccinated in less than 1 year against ovine pasturellosis disease) and age group (greater than 6 months of age). Sample collection, preservation and transportation were performed according to the recommended standard procedures. Laboratory analysis, Indirect haemagglutination Inhibition Test was employed at National Veterinary Institute (NVI), Ethiopia for both studies. Thus, out of 200 serum samples, 175 (87.5%) were positive. However, there were no statistical significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) between study areas, age and sex of the animals. Regarding in-vivo evaluation of the level of protective antibody titer, it was found 87.5% before vaccination and 98,1% a
