Abstract:Toxoplasmosis is one of the major global zoonotic diseases which have a great impact on human health with more serious outcomes in immunocompromised and pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards zoonotic importance of the disease in central Afar region of Northeast Ethiopia using structured questionnaire, key informants interview and focal group discussion. According to the logistic regression analysis of pregnant women's awareness on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, literacy was found statistically significant (P<0.05) in association with awareness of the pregnant women about the disease. According to the respondents' answers on the general knowledge of toxoplasmosis, majority of these pregnant women have no knowledge or not sure about this parasitic infection. Most of the respondent pregnant women were not sure about the risk factors, symptoms, and timing of infection of toxoplasmosis. However, they routinely practice primary preventive behaviors, particularly good hygienic condition that can prevent them from Toxoplasma infection but this is due to their native knowledge and thinking that ensuring general and personal hygiene can prevent all types of infection. During the study, 24 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection, transmission, treatment, control and prevention. However, all of them had never diagnosed the disease in animals. Moreover, out of the 68 medical professionals included in the study, only 23 (33.8%) had knowledge on zoonotic Toxoplasma infection which is lower than expected when compared with importance of the disease in human health particularly pregnant women and children. This study showed that there is knowledge gap about the disease and its zoonotic importance. Therefore, refreshing training to medical professionals including health extension workers, imparting health education in one health approach to the community at large and pregnant women in particular and strengthening the diagnostic facility and advising pregnant women to regularly check for toxoplasma infection is mandatory.

Animal medicines play an important role in the control and prevention of disease and animal suffering but have the potential to cause harm if not used properly. Veterinary drugs handling, management and supply chain assessment in Afar pastoral region of North east Ethiopia was done using structured questionnaire, key informants interview and focal group discussion. This survey showed that there is awareness gap on proper handling and management of veterinary drugs in the region that hamper its quality, safety and effectiveness. The effectiveness of drugs is damaged due to problems such as lack of awareness on how to handle and manage the drugs, lack of understanding of the potential effects of drug misuse and abuse and lack of required facilities. Training on safe handling and management of drugs (X 2 =21.23, P=0.000) and professional level (X 2 =6.613, P=0.037) had significant association with awareness on safe handling and management of veterinary drugs. However, According to the logistic regression analysis, it was only professional level (OR=0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-2.25, P=0.027) that has statistically significant association with awareness of the professionals than the other variables considered during the analysis. There were many inappropriate practices and attitudes associated with improper drug handling and management issues in the professionals, awareness problems in the community and easy accessibility of the drugs in the black markets that can potentially affect the drug effectiveness. Generally, about 63.9% of the respondents showed that they had no enough knowledge on safe handling and management of drugs starting from acquisition to end user to assure the quality, safety and effectiveness of veterinary drugs. The major source of veterinary drug supply in Afar region were governmental source (65%), private sources (5%), nongovernmental organizations (10%) and illegal sources (20%). Therefore, continuous awareness creation works to the community, capacity building, training and upgrading programs to the professionals; encouraging privatization of veterinary drug supply and strict enforcement of drug control and administration regulation of the country is mandatory to avoid the aforementioned deep rooted problems in the region.

Background: Plants are the major source of feed and have vital nutritious importance to animals; however, they also comprise a large variety of poisons known. Objective: A study was conducted to identify potential poisonous plants to domestic animals and its veterinary importance in selected districts of Afar region, Northeast Ethiopia. Methodology: Questionnaire survey and key informants interview were done with a total of 245 respondents and plant samples were taken for identification. Results: A total of 21 plants were identified and documented to have a poisonous effect on livestock. The poisonous plants frequently complained by the respondents were Capparis tomentosa, Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Acacia absynica, Sorghum bicolar, Datura stramonium, Plantago lanceolata, Pteridium aquilinum and Solanum incanum. The majorly described predisposing factors for the occurrence of plant poisoning were feed shortage, nutritional deficiency and excessive consumption. The common poisoning seasons indicated were at the end of rainy season and during drought time. The plant parts that caused poisoning were leaves of plants. This study also revealed that bloating and other GIT disturbances, salivation, bloody urine and in appetance were among the frequently manifested signs in poisoned livestock. Moreover, this study showed that caprine and ovine followed by camels and bovine were the most frequently poisoned animals. Conclusion: Phytopoisoning is commonly occurring and challenging health of livestock in the study area. Hence, proper range management should be practiced to decrease the danger of plant poisoning to animals and all concerned bodies should collaborate on pasture and water development programs to minimize the risk of enforced consumption of livestock on poisonous plants due to feed shortage.

Hydatidosis is cystic parasitosis caused by a larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus with immense economic and public health significance. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in the city municipal abattoir of Southern Ethiopia with the aim of determining prevalence and cyst fertility and estimating financial losses associated with organ condemnation. The visceral organs of about 400 cattle were examined for hydatid cysts after slaughter. Postmortem examination, cyst characterization, and direct financial loss estimations were carried out. From the total 400 cattle examined, 208 (52%) were found positive for hydatid cyst infection in one or more of their organs. A total of about 395 hydatid cysts were collected from different organs of the infected cattle. Anatomical distribution of the cysts indicated that around 245 (62.03 %) were found in lung, 91 (23.04%) in liver, 26 (6.58%) in heart, 21 (5.32%) in spleen, and 12(3.04%) in kidney. From the total 395 cysts collected, 166 (42.03%) were found fertile and 229 (57.97%) nonfertile. From the total fertile cysts, 70 (42.17%) were found to be viable and 96 (57.83%) nonviable. Furthermore, from the total nonfertile cysts, 204 (89.08%) and 25 (10.91%) were sterile and calcified, respectively. Distribution of cyst calcification was higher in liver and fertility rate was higher in the cysts of lungs. The statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of hydatidosis was found to be significantly associated with age of the studied animals (P<0.05). However, there was no significant association (P>0.05) between the prevalence of bovine hydatidosis and other risk factors such as sex, breed, body condition, and origin of animals. The annual financial loss calculated from organ condemnation was estimated about 58,114.62 USD. This study revealed that hydatidosis is a highly prevalent disease in the study area with a huge economic losses. Therefore, there is a need for immediate intervention by breaking the life cycle of the parasite to alleviate its economic impact and zoonotic risks to humans.

Camel internal parasites are among important camel health problems which are often affecting camel production and productivity. A cross-sectional study was carried out in camels to study the major helminth parasites in selected districts of Afar regional state of Ethiopia. Coprological examination and key informants interview were done to collect the required data in the study areas. Fecal sample was collected from a total of 384 camels and about 76.04% (292) were found to harbor at least one helminth parasite. According to the flotation and sedimentation techniques, Trichostrongyle egg (71.6%) was found with higher prevalence followed by coccidia (69.9%). In the mixed infestation, occurrence of two parasites together (31.9%) was with higher prevalence and occurrence of five parasites together (4.4%) was the lowest one. According to the key informants, the occurrence and transmission of these parasites is higher in the study areas due to aggregation of camels in the cross-border salt trade and mixing of camel herds at watering and feeding points. Furthermore, there was no adequate seasonal and programmed treatment due to drug shortage. Therefore, collaborative parasitic control and prevention measure and public education on modern camel husbandry should be delivered.

Camel brucellosis represents a major public health hazard, which affects social and economic development in various developing countries including the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine public awareness, attitude and practices of the pastoralists, agro pastoralists, animal health assistants and human health professionals towards zoonotic Brucella infection in the region using a questionnaire. A total of 168 respondents (56 individuals from each district) were interviewed. According to the logistic regression analysis, Literacy was found statistically significant (P<0.05) in association with awareness of the community about the disease. All respondents expressed that they consume raw milk and they did not use any protective material while handling parturient camels, removing placenta and/or other aborted materials. Only 13 (7.7%) had knowledge about brucellosis and 98 (58.3%) of the respondents had family members with fever of unknown cause and other signs of brucellosis. During the study, 40 animal health assistants were participated and almost all had knowledge on zoonotic Brucella infection. Moreover, out of the 112 human health professionals included in the study, only 14 (12.5%) had knowledge on zoonotic Brucella infection. But none of them had ever diagnosed the disease in humans and the reason for the diagnosis problem was lack of facility and no attention was given to the disease. The questionnaire survey revealed that there was a knowledge gap not only in the community but also in the human health professionals about zoonotic Brucella infection in the study areas. Even though the animal health assistants had better awareness about the disease, they did not collaborate with human health professionals to create awareness to the community and to prevent the disease. Therefore, Public education on modern animal husbandry, disease prevention and risk of zoonotic Brucella infection should be imparted continuously.