Isayas Asefa Kebede

Background: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus within the family Poxviridae . It is a notifiable, economically important disease of cattle that causes significant production losses in affected areas. Methods: A descriptive outbreak investigation was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 in Darimu, Bacho, and Yayo districts of Ilubabor Zone, Western Oromia, Ethiopia. The study aimed to detect and isolate LSDV from clinically affected cattle. A total of 79 samples were collected from 22 clinically affected cattle, including skin nodule biopsies ( n =  17), skin scrapings ( n =  7), whole blood ( n =  17), and swabs (ocular n =  14, nasal n =  12, and lesion swabs n =  12). Viral DNA was extracted using the QIAGEN kit and detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Virus isolation was attempted in lamb kidney cell culture from 17 skin nodule biopsies. Results: Out of 1,080 cattle at risk, 146 were affected, and 7 died. Overall, morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates were 13.5%, 0.65%, and 4.8%, respectively. All 79 samples (100%) tested positive by real-time qPCR . Seventeen skin nodule biopsies were selected for virus isolation and inoculated into lamb kidney cell culture. Ct values varied by sample type: skin nodules (mean Ct 19.96), lesion swabs (21.95), and skin scrapes (21.31) had the lowest Ct values (indicating higher viral load), while blood had the highest (31.69). Cytopathic effects were observed in 4 of the 17 (23.5%) cultures. The changes included cell rounding, aggregation of degenerating cells, and monolayer detachment. Conclusion: Lumpy Skin Disease Virus was confirmed as the cause of the investigated outbreak, resulting in economic losses for farmers in the study area. Regular annual vaccination and further studies on field viruses and vaccine strain compatibility (matching) are recommended to support disease control and improve eradication strategies.

Parasitic infections of slaughtered animals have a significant public health importance and cause great economic losses. Zoonotic helminths are commonly transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat of infected animals. However, information on co-infections of major zoonotic parasites in cattle is limited in the study area. Abattoirs are vital for gathering information on zoonotic animal diseases and protecting the public from consuming infected or unhygienic meat. A cross-sectional abattoir study was conducted from November 2023 to July 2024 to estimate the prevalence of co-infections, associated risk factors, and economic losses due to infected organ condemnations in cattle at Jimma Municipal Abattoir, Oromia, Ethiopia. Simple random sampling was used to select the study animals. Prevalence was determined based on records of parasitic infections detected through postmortem examination findings. A total of 384 animals were examined, with an overall co-infection prevalence of 14.3% (95% CI: 11—18); hydatidosis was the most prevalent, followed by fascioliasis at (17.1%, 95% CI: 14—21) and (14.3%, 95% CI: 11—18), respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica was 4.4% (95% CI: 2.7—7.1), followed by F. gigantica at 1.8% (95% CI: 0.9—3.8). Cyst fertility assessment of 66 cysts showed 20 viable, along with 18 sterile, 8 calcified, 11 non-viable, and 9 mixed (non-viable and viable) cysts. Males had twice the odds of co-infection than females, but this association was not statistically significant (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 0.57—4.91). The total monetary loss due to co-infections, in terms of organ condemnation, was estimated at 54,000,000 ETB (approximately 432,000 USD (using 1 USD = 125 ETB). No assessed risk factors (sex, age, body condition score (BCS), breed, and origin) showed a statistically significant association with co-infection status. This study revealed the presence of co-infections of fasciolosis and echinococcosis in cattle in the study area, which contribute to significant economic losses. Therefore, appropriate control and prevention measures should be strengthened to reduce infection and associated losses.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii , poses significant public health and veterinary challenges worldwide. In Ethiopia, understanding the awareness and behaviors of both animal and human health professionals is vital for the effective prevention and control of diseases. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinary and public health professionals regarding the zoonotic importance of toxoplasmosis in Central Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to July 2024 in Holeta and Burayu towns and Addis Ababa city, Central Ethiopia. A total of 411 veterinary and health professionals were selected using a multistage sampling approach and completed a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA Version 14 to identify factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores. The findings showed that 79.3% of respondents had good knowledge, 83% had a positive attitude, and 90% demonstrated good practice. Professionals over 41 years of age were more likely to have a positive attitude compared to those aged 18–30 years (OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1–11.0; p = 0.033). Regarding practice, those residing in Addis Ababa had higher odds of good practice than those in Holeta (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–6.2; p = 0.018), and veterinarians were significantly more likely to exhibit good practice compared to human health professionals (OR = 11.4; 95% CI: 1.5–86.5; p = 0.019). However, no factors were significantly associated with knowledge levels. A considerable proportion of veterinary and health professionals in Central Ethiopia demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and sound practices regarding toxoplasmosis. Strengthening health education and improving healthcare infrastructure are recommended to further enhance awareness and mitigate zoonotic risks.

Background: Antimicrobials and anthelmintics are among the most used veterinary drugs for the treatment and prevention of animal diseases. However, information on antimicrobial usage in food animals remains limited in communities of southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the handling and management practices, sources, and usage of veterinary drugs among food animal producers and veterinary practitioners in the Wolaita Zone. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted between May and August 2021. A pre-tested questionnaire, comprising three sections and a total of 50 questions, was used to collect data from purposively selected 101 veterinary professionals and 149 animal owners. Results: This preliminary survey revealed that the distribution of antimicrobials and anthelmintic drugs is inadequate, with limited sources and a wide range of trade names, primarily imported from a few manufacturing countries. Among the veterinary drugs available in the district, those manufactured in and imported from China were the most widely distributed in veterinary drug stores. The study also identified inappropriate transportation and storage conditions. Furthermore, critical and unethical practices were observed, including the sale of drugs without a prescription, failure to advise animal owners on drug withdrawal periods, and the administration of veterinary drugs by non-professionals. Antimicrobials (60.86%) and anthelmintics (39.14%) were the most commonly available and frequently used drugs for the treatment of musculoskeletal, integumentary, digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and systemic diseases. Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of inappropriate handling and management practices, a limited diversity of veterinary drugs, and insufficient attention by the veterinary profession to proper drug handling in the study area, all of which may compromise drug quality, safety, and effectiveness. Therefore, continuous awareness programs for food animal producers, capacity building and training for veterinary professionals, routine drug quality assessments, and the strict regulation and enforcement of drug control and administration are strongly recommended.

Background: Toxoplasmosis in camels is an important zoonotic infection with considerable economic and public health impacts, particularly in the pastoral regions of Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected districts of the Borana zone, Southern Oromia of Ethiopia, to estimate the Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence infection and associated risk factors in camels. Accordingly, 352 camel blood samples were randomly collected. Then, the sera were separated from the blood and analyzed using a latex agglutination test. Results: According to this study, the seroprevalence of camel T. gondii in the study districts using the latex agglutination test was 7.9%. The current study revealed that the T. gondii seroprevalence was relatively higher in the Miyo (9.1%) district. The males (8.9%), the adult age group (5.8%), and the poor-condition camels (21.0%) had higher seroprevalence. There was a statistically significant association between the body condition and the seroprevalence of camel T. gondii (p = 0.016). However, no statistically significant difference was noted between the seroprevalence of camel T. gondii and the peasant association, districts, age, and sex. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in camels, posing a potential public health risk in the study area. To effectively control the disease and minimize its impact on both animal and human health, it is important to raise public awareness, implement practical biosecurity measures, and conduct further comprehensive studies.

Mastitis is the most economically significant disease affecting lactating dairy cows worldwide. From November 2023 to April 2024, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Maya City, eastern Hararghe zone, to assess the prevalence of mastitis in lactating dairy cows, identify related risk factors, and examine the antibiogram profiles of Escherichia coli from raw cow milk. Mastitic animals were detected by physical examination of udders and the California Mastitis Test. Then, bacterial culture and biochemical tests were employed to isolate E. coli. And antibiogram pattern of E. coli was assessed by the disk diffusion method. A simple random sampling was used to choose 353 lactating dairy cows. Of the 353 dairy cows examined for bovine mastitis, 137 were positive, with an overall prevalence of 38.8% (95% CI 33.8–44.1). Out of these, 7.1% (95% CI 4.8–10.3) and 31.7% (95% CI 27.1–36.8) had clinical and subclinical mastitis, respectively. Mastitis had a quarter-level prevalence of 19.4% (95% CI 15.6–23.9), with clinical cases accounting for 4.3% and subclinical for 15.1%. Furthermore, 3.6% (95% CI 1.9–5.6) of the teats were blind. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between the prevalence of mastitis in lactating dairy cows and risk factors: lactation stage, body condition score, previous mastitis history, teat lesion, farm size, milking mastitic cow at the end, and cow hygiene. Accordingly, cows with teat lesions were four times more likely to have mastitis than cows without teat lesions (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.36–13.35). Of the 274 milk samples tested, 22.6% were positive for E. coli. All 62 E. coli isolates were 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. This study revealed that bovine mastitis was moderately prevalent in the study area. Thus, mastitis control measures should be developed with a focus on subclinical mastitis while considering the related risk factors.

Background: Rabies is a disease of warm-blooded animals that affects the central nervous system and is almost invariably fatal once clinical signs develop. It is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in several areas of the world, including Ethiopia. Additionally, the burden of the disease is estimated to be high in Ethiopia, and public awareness contributes to prevention. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from June–August 2023 in the Gomma district, Jimma zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of communities towards rabies and associated risk factors using a structured questionnaire survey. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of the sampling units and a total of 140 participants were interviewed. The questionnaire parts included socio-demographics information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the community’s respect for rabies management and control. The data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 20. Descriptive analyses were employed and multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the association between independent and dependent variables (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice scores). Results: About 134 (95.7%) respondents had heard about rabies. Likewise, 75 (53.6%), 55 (39.3%), and 95 (67.9%) of the respondents had good knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good practices, respectively. Christians were more likely to have higher knowledge scores than Muslims (AOR = 6.876, CI = 1.750–27.016, p = 0.006). Respondents who knew someone’s exposure had a higher knowledge score than those who did not (AOR = 6.208, CI = 2.750–14.012, p = 0.000). Moreover, Muslims were found to have a more favorable attitudes than Christians (AOR = 5.518, CI = 1.199–25.391, p = 0.028). Those who knew someone’s exposure to rabies were found to have a more favorable attitudes than those who did not (AOR = 2.367, CI = 1.157–4.839, p = 0.018). Respondents who had favorable attitudes towards rabies were found to have more good practices than unfavorable attitudes (AOR = 3.267, CI = 1.391, 7.730, p = 0.005). Conclusions: The study revealed a gap in knowledge among communities in the study area. Thus, rabies control activity and community awareness should be implemented with stakeholders.