Summary Serum samples from 380 cattle were analysed for the presence of bovine immunodeficiency‐virus (BIV) antibodies by focus immunoassay (cell‐ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). All specimens originated from dairy farms in the eastern part of Germany, which had been randomly collected during the period 1989–1991. The cattle were clinically healthy and free of bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and bovine‐virus diarrhoea‐virus (BVDV) antibodies. Infection of cell lines with BIV was monitored by syncytia formation, cell‐ELISA, and immunofluorescence. The seroprevalence of BIV antibodies was 6.6 %, as determined by cell‐ELISA. Comparison of IFA and cell‐ELISA showed that all IFA positive sera were also positive in cell‐ELISA. However, additional sera were reactive only in cell‐ELISA. This first report suggests that BIV infection may cause minor problems in German cattle, while BIV is present in a similar prevalence to that reported from other countries.

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A cross-sectional study was carried out between April and November 2015 to investigate the sero-prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle in Borena zone using 3ABC-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect antibody against foot-and-mouth disease virus and semi structured questionnaire. A total of 363 sera samples were collected from nine peasant associations found in three different districts. An overall seroprevalence of 42.7% (95%: CI= 37.7-47.84) was found during the study. There was statistically significant difference among the districts (χ 2 = 10.43, p=0.005) and the highest prevalence was found in Dire district which accounted for 52.8% (95%: CI, 44.0-61.4). The highest sero-prevalence was recorded in Soda peasant association of Dire district and Surupa peasant association of Yabello district which accounted for 65.5% (95%: CI, 49.4-78.5) and 65.0% (95%: CI= 40.4-78.5), respectively. Statistical significant difference in footand-mouth disease seroprevalence (χ 2 =31.1, p=0.000) was found among the peasant associations. Similarly, there was significance difference (χ 2 =17.4, p=0.000) in the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease between age groups. Though the seroprevalence foot-and-mouth disease was higher in females than in males, there was no significant difference (χ2=1.63, p=0.202) between sex. The different risk factors analyzed during this study indicated that, peasant associations (PAs), district and age were seen to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with the seroprevalence of foot-and-mouth disease. The questionnaire survey revealed that foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was commonly seen during June to August (Short rainy season) and December to February (Long dry season), locally called Adolessa and Bona, respectively. Younger (1-3 years) animals were most susceptible than calf and adults (>3years). Moreover, an extrinsic factor like dry season enforces pastoralist to travel a longer distance to look for grazing lands and water sources that creates 56 Asamenew Tesfaye et al.,

BackgroundFoot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which hampers livestock production and productivity in Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence of FMD in cattle and to assess farmers' knowledge about the disease in selected districts of the Gamo zone. Three districts and two kebeles (smallest administrative division) from each district were purposively sampled using a simple random sampling technique to select individual animals from each kebeles. A total of 384 sera samples were collected, and concurrently, 100 farmers were interviewed. The samples were tested for antibodies against nonstructural proteins of the FMD virus using a 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze FMD-associated risk factors.ResultThe questionnaire survey result revealed that among the interviewed farmers, 66% of farmers had knowledge about the disease, and 28% of farmers reported having a case of FMD in at least one cattle in their farm in the previous 6 months. The overall seroprevalence of FMD in cattle was 26.8%. The multivariable logistic regression revealed that age, breed, and agroecology had a significant association with seropositivity. Higher seroprevalence (64.57%) was observed in lowland, followed by midland (9.30%) and highland (5.88%). Study animals from lowland areas were 9.26 times more likely to be seropositive (OR = 9.26, CI = 2.22–38.62) for FMD than highland animals. Also, adult animals were 9.01 times (OR = 9.01, CI = 3.18–25.53) more likely to be seropositive for the disease than young animals. The multivariable logistic regression revealed that crossbreeds have an 84.7% (OR = 0.153, CI = 0.028–0.82) lower likelihood to be seropositive to FMD than local breeds.ConclusionThis study result confirms that FMD is highly prevalent in the study area, and farmers' knowledge regarding disease transmission and vaccine availability is minimal. Hence the regional concerned bodies should implement FMD vaccination campaigns and create awareness for smallholder farmers regarding the disease transmission, FMD vaccine schedule, and vaccination importance.

A cross-sectional serological, active outbreak search and a questionnaire-based survey were carried out to investigate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) sero-epidemiology in Ethiopia. The circulating serotype of the FMD virus (FMDV) was identified, and the knowledge regarding FMD and husbandry practices was assessed. Using the questionnaire survey, a total of 237 individuals were interviewed, and the majority responded that there is no practice of reporting disease outbreak, free in and out movement of livestock, or share pastures, and they use traditional case management as a means of controlling the disease. A total of 1938 cattle, 490 domestic small ruminants, and 426 swine were sampled randomly for serological analysis using the 3ABC non-structural protein (NSP) enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. An overall prevalence of 25% in cattle, 5% in domestic small ruminants, and 2% in swine was recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that cattle from the Oromia, Tigray, and Amhara regions had the highest probability of being sero-positive as compared with Addis Ababa odds ratio(OR)(OR: 4 (95% confidence interval (CI)(CI [3–6], 3 (95% CI [2,5]), and 2 (95% CI 2 [1,3]), respectively). Older cattle (older than three years) and domestic small ruminants (>18 months) had a higher chance of being seropositive (OR: 2, 95% CI [1.6,3]) and (OR: 6, 95% CI [2,18]), respectively). Female and older swine older than three years of age had a higher chance of being sero-positive (p < 0.05). Local breed cattle had the lowest chance (OR: 0.2. 95% CI [0.1–0.3]) of being sero-positive. A region, age, and breed proved to have a statistically significant association with sero-positivity (p < 0.05) in cattle. Swine from Bishoftu were less likely to test positive than swine from Addis Ababa (OR: 0.04, 95% CI [0.01–0.3]). From 96 herds, 72 pooled outbreak samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation, serotyping (antigen enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA)), sequencing, and phylogenetic tree analysis. Six serotype A (G-IV) FMD viruses and three serotype O east African (EA-3 and EA-4) FMDVs were identified. Thus, this study established the lack of disease outbreak reporting, poor husbandry problems, and the prevalence of FMD in three domestic species (cattle, small ruminant, and swine). In addition, continuous circulation of serotype A and O in the study area was confirmed.