Foot and mouth disease in selected districts of western Ethiopia: seroprevalence and associated risk factors.

A study was conducted in western Ethiopia--in two districts of Oromia state and four districts of Beneshangul Gumuz state--to determine the seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease and the associated risk factors, using multistage random sampling. A 3ABC blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure antibody against the non-structural protein of foot and mouth disease virusto differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals.Atotal of 1,144 sera from 181 herds were collected and examined. The overall seroprevalence at animal level and herd level was 9% (95% Cl 7.2-10.6) and 38.1% (95% CI 29.1-47.1), respectively. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded among different species, with 13%, 5% and 3% seropositivity in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in herd seroprevalence were observed among districts, with 52%, 50%, 50%, 44%, 21% and 11% in Gidami, Begi, Tongo, Bambasi, Mange and Asosa districts, respectively. In univariable and multivariable logistic regression, the variables that had a positive relationship with seroprevalence at herd level (p < 0.05) were herd size, contact of livestock with ungulate wildlife, and contact of animals with animals/herds of a different peasant association. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that, at the animal level, age and species had a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with seropositivity. In conclusion, herd size, contact of livestock with ungulate wildlife, contact between herds from different peasant associations, and the age and species of the animals were the main risk factors for virus circulation in the study area.