Abstract:
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating emerging viral disease of
cattle caused by a virus associated with the Neethlig poxvirus in the genus
Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. A cross-sectional study was conducted from
October, 2012 to May, 2013 in two districts of Western Wollega of Oromia Regional
State, with the objectives to determine animal and herd level seroprevalence of lumpy
skin disease and to assess the risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of lumpy
skin disease. The study population comprised of indigenous and crossbred cattle.
Multi-stage sampling method was applied to select cattle and herd owners for the
interviews. Totally, 544 sera samples were collected from 252 herds and the
serological test was conducted using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). An
overall individual level sero-prevalence of 6.43% (n=35) and herd level
seroprevalence of 5.95% (n= 15) were estimated.There was significant variation
(P<0.05) between the seroprevalence in Gimbi (4.41%) and Lalo Assabi (8.46%)
districts at animal level. The sero- prevalence of LSD exposure among breeds (local
and cross) was significantly different in that it was found significantly higher in cross
breeds (OR = 2.85, p = 0.016) than in local zebu. A summer season showed
statistically significant association (p = 0.000, OR = 4.224. CI = 1.13-7.57) with
concomitant high levels of insect activity. There was statistically significant
difference (p<0.05) among the age groups (adult, young and calf) in the seroprevalence of LSD. However, the sero-prevalence of LSD was very low in calves.
The current finding revealed no significant variation between male and female
animals (p>0.05). In addition, there was no significant association between
seropositivity to LSD and the agro-climatic zones (midland and highland). The risk
factors considered in the univariate analysis had no significant association with the
herd-level seroprevalence of LSD (p>0.05). Finally, the present study revealed a
moderate distribution of sero-positive cattle in the study area and similarly the risk
factors of the disease observed warrants future detailed study on the transmission of
the disease in the area.
