Abstract

The study was conducted with the aims of determining the seroprevalence and risk factors of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in mules and donkeys in selected sites of West Amhara region. A total of 390 (191 mules and 199 donkeys) serum samples were collected from November, 2009 to February, 2010. Blocking ELISA was employed to determine the presence of African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV) antibodies. The overall seroprevalence of AHS in this study was found to be 57.4% (95% CI = 52.35 to 62.39%). The prevalence of AHS was found to be lower in mules (55.5%) than donkeys (59.3%). Statistical analysis of the data showed that there were no significant variation (P>0.05) in the prevalence of AHS between the two species of animals examined in this study. The seroprevalence of the disease was higher in mules and donkeys >5 years old when compared to those <5 years old. But there was no significant variation (P> 0.05). Males were found to be affected by AHS more than female animals do but there were no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two sexes of mules and donkeys examined. The result showed higher seroprevalence of AHS in lowland than the midland agro ecological zones of the study area. Analysis of the data showed statistically significant (P<0.05) variation of AHS between the two agro ecological zones. Of the 100 equine owners interviewed about AHS 25 (25%) were familiar and 75 individuals (75%) of the respondents know nothing regarding the disease AHS. Hence, the knowledge of equine owners about AHS was assessed to be at infancy. This suggests the need to implement strict awareness creation among equine owners on vaccination of their animals and methods of insect control in the study area in order to decrease the prevalence of AHS.

Key words: African horse sickness, mules and donkeys, West Amhara Region, seroprevalence.