title: Characterization of Newcastle Disease Virus and poultry-handling practices in live poultry markets, Ethiopia.
abstract: Newcastle disease represents the most severe poultry disease responsible for marked economic losses in Ethiopia. To provide a molecular characterization of Newcastle disease viruses circulating in this country, a cross sectional survey was conducted at five selected live poultry market sites in Addis Ababa. In addition, baseline data on the live poultry market system were acquired through a detailed questionnaire submitted to poultry traders. We identified 44/146 positive samples, 29 of which were virulent strains belonging to sub-genotype VIf. The very poor biosecurity practices, which have resulted from responses of the participants, suggest that they might have had a heavy impact in the spread of the disease. This study provides important information on epidemiology and control of NDV in Ethiopia and highlights the importance of implementing surveillances and biosecurity practices in live poultry markets.
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Delesa Damena
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Mulisa
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Menbere Kidane
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: W/Kiros
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Redeat Belaineh
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Alemu
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Melaku Sombo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Keno
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza, OIE collaborating Center for Diseases at the Human-Animal Interface, Legnaro, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furaso
authors.affiliation: Research and Innovation Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza, OIE collaborating Center for Diseases at the Human-Animal Interface, Legnaro, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tesfaye Rufael
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Chibsa
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Hassen Chaka
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chunde
keywords: Biosecurity practices; Ethiopia; Live poultry markets; Molecular characterization; Newcastle disease virus