Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in agro pastoral areas of Jijjiga zone of Somali National Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2008- March 2009 to determine the sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis in four districts of Jijjiga Zone, eastern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the four districts and nine peasant associations (PAs). A total of 435 blood samples were collected from cattle of 6 or more months of age with no history of previous vaccination against brucellosis. All serum samples were initially screened by Rose-Bengal- Plate Test (RBPT) and those positive reactors to RBPT (n=8) were further tested by complement fixation test (CFT) for confirmation. Out of the 8 RBPT positive sera 6 were found to be positive to CFT. Accordingly, the overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in Jijjiga Zone was 1.38% (6/435). The seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in the four districts namely Awbare, Harshi, Kebribayah and Fafan districtes were 0.78%, 2.91%, 2.06% and 0%, respectively. Statistically there is no significant deference among the four districts (÷2 = 3.37, df = 3, P = 0.268). The study also revealed absence of significant statistical variation in the seroprevalence of brucellosis in different age and sex groups of the study animals (P > 0.05). Result of this study showed that the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis in the study area is low. However, it is highly likely that the disease spreads in unaffected animals and herds given the extensive production system prevailing in the area which may allow contact of animals during grazing and at watering points. The public in general and high risk group in particular should be made aware of the zoonotic importance of bovine brucellosis

Study on the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in and around Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study aimed at determining the prevalence and type of common Fasciola species in cattle was conducted in and around Bahir Dar from November 2008- March 2009. The study was based on post-mortem inspection of livers of slaughtered animals at Bahir Dar municipality abattoir and coprological examination using sedimentation technique on fecal samples collected from animals of Bahir Dar and surrounding areas. Out of 413 livers inspected, 165 (39.95%) were positive for Fasciola species. F. hepatica was found to be the most prevalent species in cattle of the study area (89.70%). About 3.63% were positive for F. gigantica and 6.67% were harboring mixed infections. Likewise, out of 384 fecal samples examined 141 (36.72) were positive for the presence of Fasciola eggs. Risk factors such as locality, body condition and sex didn’t show any effect on the prevalence of infections (P>0.05). However, breed and age group revealed significant disparity (P<0.05) as greater magnitude of infections were detected in exotic breed and young age group, respectively. In view of the current result, fasciolosis could be considered as a major problem in Bahir Dar and surrounding areas as the ecological factors and management conditions are suitable both for the snail intermediate host and the parasite to be maintained. Strategic treatments need to be implemented at appropriate timing with the aim of reducing worm burden from infected animals and preclude pasture contamination. Integrated control approaches involving livestock owners has to be implemented in reducing the population and activity of snail intermediate hosts to enable maximization of long-term returns from such endemic areas.Key words: Abattoir, Bovine, Bahir Dar, Coprology, Fasciola, Prevalence

Epidemiology and identification of Eimeria species affecting poultry in East Gojjam Zone, North West Ethiopia

Background: Despite the expansion of modernized poultry farming in Ethiopia, the presence of high prevalence of Eimeria species is the bottleneck in the sector causing high morbidity and mortality rate in poultry. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and identify Eimeria species and investigate the major risk factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to April 2020 in East Gojjam Zone, North West Ethiopia. A total of 384 chickens were used. Both floatation and McMaster coprological techniques were employed. Univariate and multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio for the associated risk factors. Analysis of variance was used to analyse differences in Eimeria oocyst counts among the groups. Results: Overall prevalence of Eimeria species in poultry from the study area was 26.5%. Age (OR = 0.25, p = 0.001), management system (OR = 12.44, p = 0.001) and production system (OR = 0.37, p = 0.001) were found significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the risk of Eimeria species in poultry. The mean Eimeria oocyst count was significantly different by age and management system (F = 6.526, p = 0.002), (F = 5.369, p = 0.005), respectively. The mean Eimeria oocyst count was significantly greater in 6–12 weeks (p = 0.004) and <6 weeks of age (p = 0.025). A total of 6 Eimeria species were identified. Eimeria tenella (46.07%), Eimeria necatrix (24.5%) and Eimeria acervulina (8.82%) were the most common Eimeria species encountered. Conclusion: The prevalence of Eimeria species was higher in poultry in North West Ethiopia. Therefore, tailor-made intervention is required to mitigate risk factors and reduce the prevalence of Eimeria species in poultry from the study area

Historical sediment mercury deposition for select South Dakota, USA, lakes: implications for watershed transport and flooding

© 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Purpose: Select South Dakota, USA water bodies, including both natural lakes and man-made impoundments, were sampled and analyzed to assess mercury (Hg) dynamics and historical patterns of total Hg deposition. Materials and methods: Sediment cores were collected from seven South Dakota lakes. Mercury concentrations and flux profiles were determined using lead ( 210 Pb) dating and sedimentation rates. Results and discussion: Most upper lake sediments contained variable heavy metal concentrations, but became more consistent with depth and age. Five of the seven lakes exhibited Hg accumulation fluxes that peaked between 1920 and 1960, while the remaining two lakes exhibited recent (1995–2009) Hg flux spikes. Historical sediment accumulation rates and Hg flux profiles demonstrate similar peak and stabilized values. Mercury in the sampled South Dakota lakes appears to emanate from watershed transport due to erosion from agricultural land use common to the Northern Great Plains. Conclusions: For sampled South Dakota lakes, watershed inputs are more significant sources of Hg than atmospheric deposition