Enteric protozoa of dogs: prevalence, associated risk factors and owners’ awareness in and around Hawassa town, Ethiopia

Dogs are reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and pose a significant health risk to humans in most parts of the world. A cross sectional study design was used to estimate the prevalence of enteric protozoal parasites in dogs, to assess the associated risk factors and the level of owners’ awareness about zoonotic implications of enteric protozoa parasites in selected subcities of Hawassa town from October 2015 to June 2016. A total of 340 faecal samples were collected and examined for enteric protozoa using flotation techniques. Of these, 171 (50.3%) dogs were infected with one or more genera of enteric protozoa parasites. The parasites identified were Sarcocyst (28.5%), Isospora (20.6%), Cryptosporidium (8.5%), Neospora (8.2%) and Giardia (5.6%). About 34.5% of the examined dogs were infected with two to four enteric protozoa parasites. The overall prevalence of enteric protozoa parasites was significantly higher in younger dogs (χ2= 20.21, p< 0.05), semi-confined (χ2= 5.63, p< 0.05) and stray dogs (χ2= 23.01, p< 0.05). The prevalence of Sarcocyst (χ2= 14.45, p< 0.05), Isospora (χ2= 4.38, p< 0.05) and Neospora (χ2= 4.31, p< 0.05) was significantly higher in stray dogs as compared to owned dogs. Most of respondents and dog owners’ (76.5%), had no awareness on zoonotic enteric protozoa parasites of dogs. But 32.8% and 23.2% the respondents’ children hug and play with dogs, respectively. Most of them (71.7%) feed their dogs with uncooked butcher leftover and/or offals. About 66.2% of them dispose of dogs’ feces with garbage. Therefore, extension works for public education to improve public awareness on parasitic zoonoses, is very helpful to reduce the problem to the possible minimum level. Moreover, a close collaboration between veterinarians and public health professionals is highly helpful.Keywords: Dogs; Enteric protozoa; Ethiopia; Hawassa; Risk factors; Zoonoti

Prevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis in One-Humped Camels Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Municipality Abattoir, Ethiopia

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic and economically important disease prevalent in different parts of Ethiopia and the world at large. This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence, identify associated risk factors, and tissue distribution patterns of CE in camels slaughtered at Addis Ababa municipality abattoir. Out of 416 one-humped camels examined during meat inspection, hydatid cysts were detected in 159 (38.22%) of them. The cyst was detected more frequently in the lungs (37.02%) followed by liver (35.1%), but very few camels had cysts in their heart, spleen, and kidneys. Significantly higher (p <0.05) prevalence of hydatid cyst was observed in female than male camels (48.05% vs 32.4%), in adult camels than young ones (53.1% vs 20.2%), and camels with good (25.0%) and medium body conditions (67.4%) compared to those in poor body condition (7.7%). The study further revealed that out of 768 cysts collected from the different organs, 169 (22%), 215 (28%) and 384 (70.57%) were abscessed/calcified, sterile and fertile cysts, respectively. About 54% (n=235) of the cysts in the lungs and 45% (n=148) in the liver were fertile. Of which, 146 (62.13%) cysts in lungs and 87 (58.78%) cysts in liver were viable. In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of CE with a higher proportion of fertile and viable cysts in the pastoral areas. Therefore, to reduce the wide spread occurrence of CE and hence the presumed public health and socio-economic impacts, extension work on safe disposal of infected offal and dead animals, awareness creation to the community about the disease, construction of abattoirs with appropriate disposal pits and strict meat inspection should be given due consideration Keywords: Abattoir; Camelus dromedarius; Cystic echinococcosis; Prevalence; Risk factor

Infestation of Ixodidae Ticks in Cattle: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Ambo District, Western Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, ticks cause serious economic loss particularly in ruminants. A cross sectional study was conducted in Ambo district, Western Ethiopia from October, 2018 to June, 2019 with the objectives of determining the prevalence, identifying the associated risk factors and the tick species of cattle in the area. From five purposively selected kebeles (the smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia) of the district, a total of 384 cattle were selected by systematic random sampling method. Adult Ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested cattle, preserved in 10% formalin and transported to Ambo University Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory for stereomicroscopic identification to species level. Among 384 cattle examined, 201 (52.34%) cattle were infested with one or two tick species. A higher prevalence of tick infestation was recorded in Degele Gatira kebele (53.25%), followed by Abebe Doyo (50.65%), Gosu Kora (50.65%), Kisose Liban (50.65%), and Senkele Faris (56.59%). The study investigated three genera of Ixodid ticks namely Rhipicephalus (41.7%), Boophilus (0.8%) and Amblyomma (2.60%). Mixed infestations were common including Rh. Boophilus and Amblyomma 24(6.25%) and Rh. Boophilus and Rhipicephalus 4(1.04%). The study identified four species of ticks; namely Rh. (Bo.) decoloratus 109 (28.40%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 43(11.20%), Amblyomma vareigatum 3(0.80%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi 11(2.90%). The difference in tick infestation was found to be statistically insignificant (P >0.05) between different age groups and kebeles but statistically significant (P <0.05) among sex groups, breeds, and different body condition scores (P <0.05). In conclusion, this study indicated a high prevalence of tick infestation and identified the most important ticks that can transmit various livestock diseases. A proper tick eradication campaign should be conducted to reduce the tick burden in the study area, and concomitantly reduce tick-borne diseases and associated economic losses

Assessment of community-based intervention approaches to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys in selected areas of Sidama region, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundAlthough efforts have been made by certain non-governmental organizations, like the Donkey Sanctuary, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), and Brooke Ethiopia, to change the attitudes and practices of donkey owners toward improving the health and welfare of working donkeys, their impact has not been assessed so far. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess and compare donkeys’ health and welfare problems in community-based intervention areas versus non-intervention areas in selected districts of Sidama regional state, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsFor the animal-based welfare assessments, 200 donkeys each were selected and included from intervention and non-intervention areas. The selected donkeys were then assessed for their welfare and health status using five important parameters, namely, body condition score, presence and severity of wounds, behavior, presence and severity of lameness, and presence of other signs of illness/diseases.ResultsThe prevalence and severity of lameness and wounds on donkeys managed in non-intervention areas were higher than those observed in community-based intervention areas. The prevalence of lameness in the non-intervention areas (25.5%) was over two times higher than the prevalence in the intervention areas (12%). Likewise, over 37% of the donkeys in the non-intervention areas were wounded, of which 64% were suffering moderate to severe wounds. Moreover, donkeys in the intervention areas had better body condition and were alert and friendly upon human approach. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between the intervention and non-intervention areas in all the considered parameters, namely, the presence of lameness, wound, body condition score, demeanor, and response to approach.Conclusion and recommendationsBased on this study’s findings, the community-based intervention approach was found to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys. Therefore, comprehensive and continuous equine health and welfare promotion through community-based intervention approaches should be designed and implemented to improve the welfare of working equines in the country

Study on clinically manifested reproductive health problems of dairy cows managed under intensive and semi-intensive production systems in Wondo Genet district, Southern Ethiopia

Reproductive disorders in cows are crucial as reproduction and fertility are the two key pillars of dairy production profitability. The study was conducted to identify and estimate the prevalence of clinically manifested postpartum reproductive disorders, to identify the associated risk factors and to estimate the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in dairy cows kept under intensive and semi-intensive dairy farms in Wondo Genet district from November 2019 to September 2020. Out of the total 205 cows examined, 90 cows (43.90%) had at least one of the reproductive problems identified by either questionnaire interview or regular follow up of individual cows. Out of 146 cows retrospectively and 59 cows prospectively assessed for the presence of any reproductive disorder, 62 (42.47%) and 28 (47.46%) cows had at least one reproductive disorders, respectively. Retained fetal membrane, abortion, uterine infections, anestrous and repeat breeding are the major reproductive disorders encountered followed by dystocia, milk fever and prolapses of the vagina and/or uterus. Among the considered host and management related risk factors, only presence of previous reproductive disorder had statistically significant association with the occurrence of reproductive disorder (p<0.05). This study also demonstrated that none of the serum samples collected from Wondo Genet and other towns (namely Hawassa, Wolaita Sodo and Arsi Negelle) and tested using Indirect Multi-species ELISA was positive for bovine brucellosis. Further studies, preferably laboratory based, should be conducted to identify the underlined causes of these problems in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, awareness should be created to farm owners/attendants to improve their farm management system

Dairy cattle lameness prevalence, causes and risk factors in selected farms of southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to December 2019 to estimate the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows, to  assess the causes and associated risk factors in southern Ethiopia. A total of 2009 dairy cows were visually and clinically examined, and the overall prevalence of lameness was found to be 14. 1% (95% CI=12.7-15.7). The prevalence of lameness was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Arsi Negelle, Yirgalem, and Wolaita Sodo than in Wondo Genet and Hawassa. The prevalence of lameness was also associated with the stages of pregnancy and parity (P < 0.05). Generally, the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows was increasing with the increase in parity and stage of pregnancy. The main abnormalities observed in this study were hooves overgrowth (6%), lesions between hooves (4%), lesions on legs (2.2%), trauma (0.6%), arthritis (0.5%), and a sole ulcer (0.3%). Most of these abnormalities were mainly due to faulty  management. Hence, based on this finding it is recommended that hoof management and trimming are very essential components of lameness control. Furthermore, early detection and treatment of lame cows; training of the owners on hoof management; and  improvement of the housing are helpful to keep lameness at a lower level

Aerosol Transmission of Filoviruses

Filoviruses have become a worldwide public health concern because of their potential for introductions into non-endemic countries through international travel and the international transport of infected animals or animal products. Since it was first identified in 1976, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and Sudan, the 2013–2015 western African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is the largest, both by number of cases and geographical extension, and deadliest, recorded so far in medical history. The source of ebolaviruses for human index case(s) in most outbreaks is presumptively associated with handling of bush meat or contact with fruit bats. Transmission among humans occurs easily when a person comes in contact with contaminated body fluids of patients, but our understanding of other transmission routes is still fragmentary. This review deals with the controversial issue of aerosol transmission of filoviruses

Aerosol Transmission of Filoviruses

Filoviruses have become a worldwide public health concern because of their potential for introductions into non-endemic countries through international travel and the international transport of infected animals or animal products. Since it was first identified in 1976, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and Sudan, the 2013–2015 western African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is the largest, both by number of cases and geographical extension, and deadliest, recorded so far in medical history. The source of ebolaviruses for human index case(s) in most outbreaks is presumptively associated with handling of bush meat or contact with fruit bats. Transmission among humans occurs easily when a person comes in contact with contaminated body fluids of patients, but our understanding of other transmission routes is still fragmentary. This review deals with the controversial issue of aerosol transmission of filoviruses