Epidemiology of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in small ruminants of Borena Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2023
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
A peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a major economic threat to sustainable small ruminant production in the developing world, including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023 to estimate the epidemiological status of PPR in the small ruminants of the Borena Zone. Moreover, a questionnaire survey and retrospective outbreak data analysis were conducted to complement laboratory and field data. In the present study, districts and households were selected purposively based on small ruminant population, and individual animals were selected randomly. A total of 384 serum
samples were collected from sheep and goats and subjected to serological analysis using cELISA. In this study, the seroprevalence in nonvaccinated animal was 32.1% (95% CI: 26.3– 38.3). Multivariable logistic analysis revealed a statistically significant association of PPRV seropositivity to older age (60%, OR = 7.3, 95%CI = 2.7–19.4; P = 0.000), animals of market origin (62.9%, OR = 4, 95%CI = 1.4–11.3; P = 0.00), animals given as gifts (56.3%, OR = 8.3, 95%CI = 2.1-32.6; P = 0.003), poor veterinary service (43.5%, OR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.2– 5.7; P = 0.019), and medium flock size (74.2%, OR = 15.4, 95%CI: 3.1–77.3; P = 0.001). In retrospective data from 2018 to 2022, 554 outbreaks and 114,924 deaths of small ruminants were reported in Ethiopia, with 9.6% outbreaks and 0.6% deaths reported from Borena Zone. A total of 81 household heads were interviewed in three districts. The disease was known to locals as "Marareba". Respondents reported that the virus had a detrimental effect by causing mortality in goats (12.3%) and sheep (7.4%), and abortions in goats (22.2%) and sheep
(11.1%). However, most respondents (81.5%) lack knowledge about disease transmission, sources and practices facilitating factors including small ruminant sales, cultural festivals, dry seasons, and traditional remedies. The study highlighted the presence of PPR among the sheep and goats in Borena Zone. Lack of awareness on means of transmission, and different social activities might have contributed toa higher presence of the disease in the study population. Therefore, continuing the vaccination effort and community education are recommended to minimize the socioeconomic impact of PPR among the Borena pastoral community.