Veterinary Epidemiology

MAGNITUDE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG DAIRY CALVES IN HARAR AND DIRE DAWA CITIES AND HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

MAGNITUDE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG DAIRY CALVES IN HARAR AND DIRE DAWA CITIES AND HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA MESFIN GABRE; Shihun Shimelis (MSc, Assit. Prof); Biruk Abraha (MSc, Assoc. Prof) Cryptosporidium is a parasitic protozoa that can cause diarrhea in dairy calves, especially in the first month of life. A cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 2024 to October 2024 G.C. to estimate the magnitude of Cryptosporidium infection and its associated factors among dairy calves in Harar and Dire Dawa cities and Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to estimate the magnitude of Cryptosporidium infections and their associated factors in dairy calves. Feacal sample of calves (n = 360) with age groups ranging from two weeks to 12 months was collected from 30 dairy farms. All samples were processed using the modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining method. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on associated risk factors of infection. The intensity of shedding Cryptosporidium oocysts was semiquantitatively estimated according to the average number of oocysts. The overall magnitude of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy calves was 13.6% (95% CI, 18.6-79.5). The farm-level magnitude of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding in calves was 43.3% (95% CI, 25.4-62.5). Multivariate logistic regression showed that calves raised in group pens were 4 times more likely to become infected than those raised in individual pens (P=0.024). Urban farms showed a 3 times higher risk of contracting the infection than farms in Peri-urban areas (P=0.02). Cryptosporidium infection in dairy farm calves 2 weeks-3 months of age was 5 times more likely higher than those >7-12 months (P=0.003). More specifically, the odds of having diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium infection in calves were 7 times greater than in calves with normal fecal consistency (P=0.01). The magnitude of Cryptosporidium infection was high in the dairy farms studied. Therefore, more studies are needed in detail on the magnitude and risk factors that are essential to evaluate the impact of infection on the health and productivity of the calf. 70

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ECTOPARASITES INFESTATION AND EVALUATION OF CURRENT CONTROL PRACTICES IN POULTRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN AND AROUND DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ECTOPARASITES INFESTATION AND EVALUATION OF CURRENT CONTROL PRACTICES IN POULTRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN AND AROUND DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA Yusuf Ahmed Elmi; Asst. Profe)Shihun Shimelis; Asst. Profes) Sisay Alemu Ectoparasites threaten poultry health and productivity by decreasing egg production, lowering meat yields and transmitting diseases. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites, identify associated risk factors and evaluate current control practices in poultry production systems in Dire Dawa. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to July 2024, using stratified multistage cluster sampling, where 768 chickens were randomly selected from the extensive, semi-intensive and intensive poultry production systems. Data collection involved physical examination of chickens and interviews with poultry owners, farm managers or poultry caretakers. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while logistic regression models were applied to identify associated risk factors. Out of 768 chickens examined, 577 were found affected with ectoparasites. Thus, the overall prevalence of ectoparasite infestation was 75.13% [95% confidence interval (CI): 71.9-78.2] with fleas (35.0%), lice (33.5%), mites (25.5%), and ticks (10.9%). Single infestations were seen on 48.7% of the chickens, while multiple species infestations occurred on 51.3% of chickens. The prevalence of ectoparasite infestation was significantly higher in extensive (85.66%) and semi-intensive (80.27%) than in the intensive system (65.95%). Age and management system were identified as the risk factors using a multivariable logistic regression analysis,. The respective odds of ectoparasite infestation was two fold (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.5–3.7; p<0.001) and four fold (OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 2.3–5.3; p<0.001) in the semi-intensive and extensive systems than in the intensive system. Adult chickens were twice as likely to be infested as young chickens (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4–2.8; p<0.001). In this study, 83.9% (68/81) of the respondents were found aware about infestation of poultry with ectoparasites. All those 68 (100%) conscious respondents implemented control measures that varied significantly, with 58 (85.3%) of them relying on natural remedies, 46 (67.6%) often applied control measures reactively in response to infestations and only 41 (60.3%) monitored their effectiveness. The main challenges identified were lack of knowledge 47 (69.1%) and the high cost of treatments 41 (60.3%). The study concludes that poultry ectoparasites are highly prevalent in Dire Dawa, emphasizing the need for affordable and effective control strategies and educational campaigns on managing poultry ectoparasite infestations. 99p.

MAGNITUDE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG DAIRY CALVES IN HARAR AND DIRE DAWA CITIES AND HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF MANGE AMONG CAMELS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF ERER ZONE, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF MANGE AMONG CAMELS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF ERER ZONE, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, EASTERN ETHIOPIA Farhan Muhumed Abdi; ( Asst. Profe)Shihun Shimelis; (Asst. Profe) Sisay Alemu; (Asst. Profe) Dawit Kassie A cross-sectional field survey was carried out in three districts of Erer zone, Somali Regional State from March to August 2024 to determine the prevalence, identify the risk factors and the cause of camel mange. A total of 664 animals were selected using multi-stage sampling method and subjected to clinical examination for mange. Skin scraping samples were collected from suspected cases, then preserved in 10% formalin and transported and subjected for parasitological examination. The data collected in this study were analysed using Stata version 16 statistical software. The analysis involved both descriptive statistics in which the frequency and percentage of infestation with mange mites along the confidence intervals was determined and analytic statistics involving the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to test associations among the study variables. From 664 camels examined, 188 (28.31%; 95% CI: 24.91%–31.91%) animals were found affected with mange associated with S. scabiei var. cameli. Body condition of camel, herd size, housing floor, the method of camel rearing and acaricidal use were found statistically significantly associated with the rate of occurrence of camel mange (p>0.05). The odds of developing mange in camels with poor and medium body condition was almost four fold (AOR=3.53; 95% CI=1.82-6.84; p<0.001) and doubled (AOR=1.99; 95% CI=1.01-3.94; p=0.047) as that of those camels with good body condition. The risk of developing mange was in camels selected from large herd size was 8 (AOR=8.23; 95% CI =3.31-20.43; p<0.001) times and those from medium sized herds 3 times (AOR=2.96; 955 CI=1.45-6.07; p=0.003) higher than those from small herd size. Furthermore, the odds of camel being affected by mange in those kept on muddy soil, reared mixed with other species of animals and never previously treated with acaricides, was almost 18 (AOR=18.49; 95% CI=7.69-44.48; p<0.001), 4 (AOR=3.95; 95% CI=1.55-10.05; p<0.004) and 2 (AOR=2.22; 95% CI=1.51-3.28; p<0.001 ) times as high as that of those camels reared on dry soil, reared separately and have been treated with acaricides, respectively. However, the strength of association between sex and age of camel with that of camel mange were determined to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Lesion associated with mange were observed mainly on the head (65.9%), neck (52.1%), shoulder (39.9%) and back (31.5%). Loss of hair (79.8%) and itching and scratching (67.0%) among others were the predominant clinical findings of mange observed in the study. In conclusion, S. scabiei var. cameli was found moderately infecting camels and action against it through designing and implementing control measures, further studies and public education are indisputable and crucial. 62p.