Background Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a severe, highly infectious and fatal viral disease of small ruminants. Four lineages of PPR virus have been identified globally based on sequence analysis of the nucleoprotein (N) and fusion (F) gene. The aim of this study was to isolate and genetically characterize recently circulating PPR virus in small ruminants in the eastern Amhara region in Ethiopia. A total of 28 anti-mortem samples (gum debris, nasal and ocular swab) were collected from clinically suspicious animals and examined for the presence of PPRV by a one-step RT-PCR assay. Samples positive with RT-PCR were subjected to isolation of the virus which were subsequently genetically characterized by sequencing of the nucleoprotein (N) gene and phylogenetic analysis of PPR virus (PPRV) strains. Results Of the 28 clinical samples examined, 46.4% were positive with RT-PCR for viral nucleic acid. The PPRV was successfully isolated on CHS-20 cell line with the ovine signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) receptor expressed on the cell surface and confirmed with RT-PCR and IFAT assay. The nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PPRV obtained were clustered genetically with Lineage IV isolates of the virus. Conclusion The successful isolation of the virus and molecular findings of this study confirmed active lineage IV PPRV infections among populations of sheep and goats in eastern Amhara, suggesting risks for potential spread of the disease to currently free areas. Thus, we recommend systematic vaccination to contain outbreaks in affected districts and geographically linked surrounding districts to which the disease could potentially spread due to different epidemiological linkages.

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Vaccination is the method of choice for control of Newcastle disease in developing countries. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six commercial poultry farms to assess their immune status against Newcastle disease in Ethiopia. In addition, follow up study was carried out in 210-day old chickens belonging to Rose, Lohmann brown and Sasso breeds to compare their response to HB1 and La Sota vaccines. Blood samples were collected from 75-day-old chickens (25 chickens from each breed) to assess the level of maternally derived antibody titer before vaccine was given. Blood samples were collected fortnightly after the first and booster vaccinations. Haemagglutination inhibition assay was used to assess the level of antibody in serum samples collected. Only two of the six farms investigated maintained good flock immunity (≥85% level of protection) with low percentage geometric coefficient of variation (4.9%-14.4%). The maternally derived antibody titre was significantly higher in Sasso breeds (134.4±1.14) followed by Ross (92.2±1.14) and Lohmann brown (68.6±1.35). The level of anti-Newcastle disease virus antibody after the first vaccination was 24.6±1.2 in Lohmann brown, 29.3±2 in Sasso and 34.5±1.1 in Ross breeds. The antibody titer was 30.9±1.3 in Lohmann brown, 29.4±1.2 in Sasso and 33.1±1.2 in Ross breeds after booster vaccination. In conclusion the maternally derived antibody level was sufficient to protect chickens from infection during early age but the flock immunity and post vaccination antibody level was low suggesting the investigation of alternative vaccination schedules for better prevention and control of Newcastle disease than the current one (day 0, day 7 and day 21).

Background: The avian influenza virus has different subtypes which have the potential to cause disease in animals and humans. Human cases with influenza A (H5N1), A (H5N6) and A (H7N9) viruses, have been reported to WHO and various influenza A (H5) subtypes continue to be detected in birds globally. Little is known about the types of exposure that result in human infections. In Ethiopia, risk assessment studies were not conducted and the awareness of the community and the risk of exposure for potential avian influenza is undetermined. The aim off this survey is to assess the level of the community awareness and the risk for human exposure to avian influenza viruses (HPAI) in the wet land areas of Ethiopia. Method: The survey was conducted from January 26 to February 28, 2018 in the wet land areas of Ethiopia by using a standard questionnaire and purposive random sampling method. Epi info version 7.0 and SPSS (V.20) were applied for data analysis. Result: Off the total 200 respondents 94.7% don’t know about the mode of transmission and 43.5%, 27%, 16.9% of the respondents believed that HAI it transmitted by inhalation of air droplet (breathing), contact with ill person and eating raw poultry meat and egg products. 36.2% of respondents believed that Human avian influenza is preventable by keeping hand hygiene, followed by respiratory hygiene (28%) and environmental hygiene (19.3%). However, 68.6% had close contact with animals (poultry) and high exposure to raw animal products. Conclusion: The awareness level of the community in the mode of transmission, risk factors and preventive measures is very low while the exposure for infected birds, food products remaining high. Further risk assessment studies and community awareness creation on the prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza is recommended. Key words: Avian Influenza, Exposure, Ethiopia