Abstract

A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of cattle foot and mouth disease (FMD) was conducted in Somalia Regional State (Awbere and Babille Districts) Western, Ethiopia. 384 blood samples were collected in the period of October 2009 to March 2010 from 384 animals and tested for antibodies against non-structural protein of FMD virus by using the 3ABC-ELISA. The overall individual animal antibody seroprevalence was 14.05% (95% CI = 11.2 to 18.13%). Statistically no significant variation (P > 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of FMD in Awbere (14.2%) and Babille (15.1%) Districts. Similarly there was no significant variation (P>0.05) in seroprevalence among male (19.4%) and female (13.6%) animals. Seroposetivity recorded for calves (Zero), young (13.2%) and adult (18.9%) age groups of animals showed a significance variation (χ² = 8.45, DF = 2, P = 0.01). The results of this study showed that FMD is an important cattle disease in the study areas. This fact justifies the need of attention and subsequent study for identification of the FMD virus circulating in the area, which helps in the implementation of an effective control measures.

Key words: Cattle, Ethiopia, foot and mouth disease (FMD), Jijiga, seroprevalence, 3ABC-ELISA.