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Background: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) has been known to cause high morbidity and mortality in chickens resulting in considerable financial losses to poultry producers. This study was performed with the objectives of estimating the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of IBD in backyard chickens in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 482 serum samples were collected from chickens reared under backyard systems using a multi-stage cross-sectional study design. The serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-IBDV antibodies using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire survey was also performed to identify risk factors affecting chicken production in the study area. Results: From the total of 482 serum samples tested, 236 (48.96%; 95% CI: 44.32-53.42) were positive for anti-IBDV antibodies. Higher seroprevalence was recorded in Humbo district (55.75%; 95% CI: 46.11-65.09) followed by Sodo Zuria (51.54%; 95% CI: 42.62-60.39), Damotgale (46.22%; 95% CI: 36.49-56.18), and Kindokoysha district (42.86%; 95% CI: 34.32-51.72) although the difference was not statistically significant. Significantly lower prevalence was recorded in indigenous chickens (43.36%; 95% CI: 37.53-49.32) compared to exotic chickens (57.14%; 95% CI: 49.89-64.17). The odds of occurrence of IBD in the local chicken breed was 0.67 times lower than that of the exotic chicken breed. The odds of occurrence of IBD in chickens from flock size ≥5 chickens was 4.33 times higher than chickens from flock size <5 chickens. A statistically significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between treatment history and isolation of sick chickens with mortality in the flock. Conclusion:This study revealed that IBD is one of the major infectious diseases that affect the traditionally managed chickens in the study area with the flock size and breed of chickens are identified as important risk factors for IBD occurrence. Besides, chicken producers did not have enough knowledge about the nature and epidemiology of IBD. Thus, proper management practices together with appropriate vaccination programs are necessary to reduce IBD incidence in the study areas.

Background: Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most economically important diseases of cattle population worldwide and caused by Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). A cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2019 to April, 2020 to investigate the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection. in and around Asella town, Ethiopia. Semi structured questionnaire survey was designed to assess the different variables related to herd managements through personal interview of the farmers. Serum samples were collected from a total of 45 non-vaccinated cattle herds (225 individual cattle) during the study period. Samples were examined for detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) kit (ID Screen® BVD p80 Antibody) following the manufacturers protocol. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors for BVDV seropositivity. Results: In the present study, 8.4% (95% CI: 5.2-12.9) and 22.2% (95% CI: 11.2-37.1) seroprevalence of BVDV antibody was observed at individual and herds level, respectively. Among the animal and management risk factors observed in multiple logistic regression analysis, higher seroprevalence of was observed in cows with history of abortion 53.8% (95% CI: 25.1-80.8%), cattle reared in semi intensive farming system 28.3% (95% CI: 16.0-43.5) (P<0.05). In this study, abortion (adjusted OR: 30.5, P<0.05), repeated breeder (adjusted OR: 6.95, P<0.05) and intensive farming systems (adjusted OR: 0.13, P<0.05) were identified as potential variables for the seroprevalence of BVDV. Conclusion: The study revealed immense exposure of cattle in and around Asella town to BVDV infection that varied with reproductive problem and farming system of the animals. Further studies will be required to elucidate the molecular epidemiology of BVDV infection in cattle and other livestock species in the study area.