Study on seroprevalence, risk factors, and economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease in Borena pastoral and agro-pastoral system, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Cross-sectional serological study and questionnaire survey were conducted in Borana pastoral and agro-pastoral area to determine seroprevalence and risk factors associated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) infection and to assess community perceptions as to importance of the disease. A multistage random sampling was carried out to select cattle for seroprevalence and households for interviews. Totally, 768 sera were collected from 111 herds. The overall individual level seroprevalence of 23.0% (n = 177) and herd level seroprevalence of 58.6% (n = 65) were recorded using 3ABC ELISA test. The variation of individual level seroprevalence in districts were statistically significant (P < 0.05) which was 29.9% in Arero, 24.0% in Yabello, and 15.7% in Teltele. From multivariate logistic regression analysis, herd size and age were seen to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with FMD seroprevalence. The result of the questionnaire survey based on 120 respondents indicated that, the daily milk yield of cows infected with FMD during outbreaks is reduced to an average of 0.5 L for 25.5 days while cows developing heat-intolerance syndrome after acute infection gave an average 0.67 L for 3.8 months and their calving interval prolonged about 12 months. The questionnaire survey in agro-pastoral area of Borena also indicated that FMD-infected oxen remained off-plough for one season when outbreaks occur in cropping time, whereas heat-intolerant oxen were no longer used for traction. These findings of the present study indicated that FMD is a highly prevalent and economically important disease in the Borana pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems which need effective control strategy for the disease.

Seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and associated economic impact on Central Ethiopian cattle feedlots

“…This might be due to the fact that feedlot owners show a strong preference for Borena cattle due to its large size, efficient feed conversion and superior meat quality (Legese et al, 2008). However, Borena pastoral area is one of the areas in which FMD epidemics have been reported (Rufael et al, 2008;Bayissa et al, 2011;Mekonen et al, 2011). Moreover, these animals move from production areas to the feedlots without certifications and any test.…”

“…Majority of bulls used for fattening are originated from Borena pastoral system where FMD epidemics have been reported (Rufael et al, 2008;Bayissa et al, 2011;Mekonen et al, 2011). Borena cattle population has 55.2 to 58.6% herds which have at least one FMD infected cattle (Rufael et al, 2008;Bayissa et al, 2011).…”

“…Borena cattle population has 55.2 to 58.6% herds which have at least one FMD infected cattle (Rufael et al, 2008;Bayissa et al, 2011). Currently, in Ethiopia there is no government strategy in FMD control through vaccination and movement control (Bayissa and Bereda, 2009).…”

Impacts of foot-and-mouth disease on livelihoods in the Borena Plateau of Ethiopia

“…Since one of the manifestations of FMD is lameness, cattle lose their ability for hard work when affected by FMD (Radostits et al 2006); this would translate into food insecurity and socio-economic problems. A study done by Bayissa et al (2011) in the Borena region reveals that FMD-affected oxen do not plough for one entire crop season. Additionally, oxen affected by HIS are not used for ploughing any longer.…”

Cost-benefit analysis of foot and mouth disease control in Ethiopia

“…Some of these costs were excluded because of lack of reliable data. For example, FMD is known to have a chronic form that has significant economic impact on the affected animals (Barasa et al, 2008;Bayissa et al, 2011), but no information was available about its incidence during outbreaks.…”