Prevalence and Causes of Selected Respiratory Infections in Indigenous Gumuz Sheep in Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2008 to May 2009 to determine the prevalence and causes of respiratory infections in indigenous Gumuz sheep in Metema district, northwest Ethiopia. Feacal samples, nasal swabs and serum samples were collected from a total of 384 sheep of both sex and all age groups. Modified Berman technique, bacteriological methods and competitive-ELISA were used for the identification of lungworms, pasteurella species and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), respectively. The overall prevalence of respiratory infections was 40.6% (95%CI; 36-46%). The prevalence difference between the study villages was significant (P<0.05). Infection rate of 15.1% (95%CI; 12-19%) for lungworms, 27.6% (95%CI; 23-32%) for pasteurellosis and 26.3% (95%CI; 22-31%) for PPR was reported. Concurrent infection rate was 13.8% for lung worm and pasteurella species, 9.4% for lung worm species and PPR, 14.1% for pasteurella species and PPR and 8.9% for lung worm, pasteurella and PPR infections. This study revealed concurrent infections of lungworms, pasteurella species and PPR responsible for the occurrence of respiratory disease in indigenous Gumuz sheep. Regular vaccinations against ovine pasteurellosis and PPR and strategic deworming against lungworms must be considered for the control of these respiratory infections.