Sero-epidemiological study of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats under different production systems in South Omo, southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected districts (representing pastoral/agro-pastoral and mixed farming systems) of South Omo zone of southern Ethiopia between May and October 2014, with the aim of estimating the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and identifying potential risk factors associated with the infection. A total of 894 serum samples were collected from 382 sheep and 512 goats. Sera samples were examined for presence of PPR antibodies with competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). The overall seroprevalence was 30.8% with 16.2% in sheep and 41.7% in goats. Goats were more likely (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.5, 5.1) to be seropositive than sheep. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of exposure variables identified a significant association of PPR seroprevalence with district and sex (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence was higher in Hamer (OR = 166.2, 95% CI = 22.8, 1212.5) and Bena-Tsemay (OR = 29.6, 95% CI = 4.1-215.7) than Debub Ari district and females (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.64) than their male counterparts. However, age was not associated with seropositivity (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the serological study confirmed the high prevalence and endemicity of PPR in the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of South Omo zone. The high sero-prevalence demands serious attention as the disease is known to cause considerable health and welfare problem in small ruminants and threaten livelihoods of poor herders raising them.