SERO-EPIDEMOLOGYOF PESTE DES PETITSRUMINANTS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN MAJI DISTRICT, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A Peste des petits ruminant (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants. Therefore, cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and April 2017 to estimate the seroprevalence and identify risk factors of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in unvaccinated small ruminants of Maji District, Bench Maji Zone, and Southern Nation Nationalities and people’s Regional states of Ethiopia. A total of 768 serum samples were collected from sheep (453) and goats (315) using random sampling three stage strategy using lottery method. Peasant association was selected by random sampling. Questionnaire was also conducted to assess the association of seroprevalence of PPR and possible risk factors. Proportions were calculated for seroprevalence and presumed risk factors. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine association between risk factors and exposure status. All variables with P <0.20 in the univariable analysis were further tested by multivariable logistic regression model to assess for their effect on PPR seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence of PPR virus antibody at individual level was 3.26% (95%CI=2.11-4.76) and 24.5(14.50-37.50) at herd level. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed residing species (OR:3.1, 95%CI=1.28-7.73,p=0.014); sex(OR:3.5, 95%CI=1.25-9.67,P=0.009 );lack of access to veterinary service(OR:6.00, 95%CI=1.75-21.48,P=0.005),grazing management (OR:5.00, 95%CI=1.46-17.30,P=0.013) and large herd size (OR:3.4, 95% CI=1.25-8.67, p=0.028)as risk factors for PPR seropositivity in sheep and goats at individual animal level and introduction of new animals through purchase (p=0.004),large herd size (p= 0.011) and lack of access to veterinary service (p=0.029) at herd level using chi square test. Results show that, there was natural circulation of PPR virus in the population studied. Even though the prevalence is low, the presence of circulating virus and large proportion of un-immunized small ruminants in the study area is an indicator of a potential for an epidemic if any one of the determinants is break down. Hence, vaccinations of small ruminants along with increased access to veterinary services are suggested.