title: Sero-prevalence of lumpy skin disease in selected districts of West Wollega zone, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating emerging viral disease of cattle caused by a virus associated with the Neethlig poxvirus in the genus Capripoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2012 to May, 2013 in two districts of Western Wollega of Oromiya Regional State, with the objectives to determine animal and herd level seroprevalence of lumpy skin disease in the study area. The study population comprised of indigenous and crossbred cattle. Multi-stage sampling method was applied to select cattle and herd owners for the interviews. A total of 544 sera samples were collected from 252 herds and the serological test were conducted using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall individual level sero-prevalence of 6.43% (n = 35) and herd level seroprevalence of 5.95% (n = 15) were estimated. There was significant variation (P < 0.05) between the seroprevalence in Gimbi (4.41%) and Lalo Assabi (8.46%) districts at animal level. The sero-prevalence of LSD exposure among breeds (local and cross) was significantly different in that it was found significantly higher in cross breeds (OR = 2.85, p = 0.016) than in local zebu. There was statistically significant difference (p = 0.384) among the age groups (adult, young and calf) in the sero-prevalence of LSD. The average sero-prevalence according to age groups was 8.78%, 5% and 2.74% in adults, youngs and calves, respectively and this shows the prevalence was very low in calves. The current finding revealed no significant variation between male and female animals (p > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant association between seropositivity to LSD and, the agro-climatic zones (midland and highland).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed a moderate distribution of sero-positive cattle in the study area and the disease observed warrants future detailed study on the spread of the disease in the area.
authors.affiliation: College of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollega University, P. O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia. besha.ab9@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zelalem
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abera
authors.affiliation: Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Head School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia. hailudegefu12@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hailu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Degefu
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia. getachewgj@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Getachew
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gari
authors.affiliation: National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center (NAHDIC), P. O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia. menbere.kidane@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Menbere
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidane
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D008166:Lumpy Skin Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies