Abstract:
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most economically important diseases of cattle population worldwide including Ethiopia and caused by Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Across-sectional study was conducted from December, 2019 to April, 2020 to investigate BVDV seroprevalence and to identify the potential risk factors associated with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infection in 45 non-vaccinated cattle herds in and around Asella town, Ethiopia. Semi structured questionnaire survey was designed to assess variables related to herd managements through personal interview of the farmers. A target of five animals per herds and a total of 225 cattle serum were sampled. The extracted sera samples were examined for detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) kit (ID Screen® BVD p80 Antibody) following the manufacturers protocol.Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors for BVDV seropositivity. In the present study, 19(8.4%) (95% CI: 5.2-12.9) and 10(22.2%) (95% CI: 3.0-41.4) seroprevalence of BVDV antibody was observed at individual and herds level, respectively.Among the animal and management risk factors observed in multiple logistic regression analysis, reproductive problem and farming system were identified as potential risk factors for the seroprevalence of BVDV (P<0.05). Cows with history of abortion had higher chance of BVDV seroreaction than cows with no history of reproductive problem with an odds of 30.5 times (P=0.000, 95% CI (6.28-148.1). Similarly, cows with history of repeat breeder had 6.95 times (P= 0.007, 95% CI (1.68-28.71) likelihood of being seropostiveto BVDV as compared to cows with no history of reproductive problem. Intensive farming system (OR: 7.69; P=0.001 95% CI 2.27-33.33) were less likely to be seropositive than extensive and semi-intensive farming system (P < 0.05). Seroprevalence of BVDV was not associated with others variables (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study revealed immense exposure of cattle in and around Asella town to BVDV infection that varied with reproductive problem and farming system of the animals. Further studies will be required to elucidate the epidemiology of BVDV infection in cattle and other livestock species in the study area
