Abstract:
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a highly contagious infectious agent of cattle
populations across the world and causing a significant economic loss due to decreased
performance, loss of milk production, reproductive disturbances and increased risk of
morbidity and mortality. It is an envelope, positive-sense single-stranded (ss+) RNA-virus
and belongs to the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae. The cross-sectional study was
done form January, 2016 up to January, 2017 to estimate the seroprevalence of bovine viral
diarrhea virus and its potential risk factors in dairy cattle of Jimma town, Southwestern
Ethiopia. A total of 420 blood samples were collected from 45 dairy farms of the town. All
sampled animals were identified by their sex, age, breeds, history of reproduction disorders
(abortion, repeat breeding), parity status and history of farms by using questioner. The serum
extracted from blood samples for the detection of BVDV antibody by using blocking ELISA.
In this study, 51.7% (217/420) and 95.6% (43/45) seroprevalence of BVDV antibody was
observed at individual and herd level, respectively. The higher seroprevalence of was
observed inadult animals 55.1% (95% CI: 49.9-60.2%),dairy farms introduced new animals to
their herds 100% (95% CI: 85.7-100%) and cows with history of repeat breeding as compared
with cows with history of abortion 40.0% (95% CI: 24.6-57.7%)(P<0.05). In this study, age
(OR: 2.5; P<0.05), repeat breeder cows (OR: 2.4; P<0.05) and introduction of new animals to
herds (OR: 1.6; P<0.05) were identified as potential risk factors for the seroprevalence of
BVDV. This high seroprevalence result implies as BVD is widely distributed among Jimma
town dairy farms and affecting production and productivity of farms. Thus, older and repeat
breeder animals should be tested for BVD and properly managed as they act as potential
source of infection in addition to awareness creation about BVD for the dairy owners.
