Abstract:
A cross-sectional serological survey was undertaken in selected districts of different agro-ecology of
Jimma zone (Dedo, Yebu, Seka, Serbo, and Jimma town)
from November 2009 to February 2010 to determine the
seroprevalence of African horse sickness virus and associated risk factors of the disease. Two hundred seventy-four
equids (189 horses, 43 mules, and 47 donkeys) with a
history of non-vaccination for at least 2 years were selected
randomly from the above areas. Sera samples were
collected and assayed for the presence of specific antibody
against African horse sickness virus using blocking
ELISA. An overall seroprevalence of 89 (32.5%) was
found and it was 24 (51.1%) for donkeys, 13 (30.2%) for
mules, and 52(28.3%) for horses. Seroprevalence was
significantly (X2
=11.05, P<0.05) different among the
different species of equids. Seroprevalence was also
significantly (X2
=11.43, P<0.05) different among the
different agro-ecological areas being higher in highlands
47 (40.5%) followed by midland 30 (34.5%) and lowland
12 (16.9%). Age and sex were not significantly (X2
=3.15,
P>0.05 and X2
=3.38, P>0.05, respectively) associated
with seroprevalence of AHSV. The present study showed
that African horse sickness (AHS) is highly prevalent
disease for the horses followed by mules and then donkeys
in Jimma zone explained by lower seroconversion rate.
Therefore, control strategy against AHS should target at
high risk species of all age and sex in their locality in the
initial stage for better containment of the disease.
