# Sero‐Prevalence of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease in Cattle in Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South‐Western Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that foot-and-mouth disease is common in cattle in parts of Ethiopia, with higher rates in certain areas and among specific animal traits.

## Contribution

The study reports the sero-prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle in three districts of Ethiopia and identifies risk factors.

## Key findings

- The overall sero-prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle was 25.3%.
- Limmu Seka had the highest sero-prevalence at 32.37%.
- Factors like sex, age, body condition, herd size, and origin of animals were significantly associated with FMD occurrence.

## Abstract

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and results in a high economic loss in the world.

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 in three selected districts to determine the sero‐prevalence of FMD. A total of 384 cattle sera samples were collected and tested for antibodies against FMD virus using FMD NSP c‐ELISA.

The overall sero‐prevalence of 25.3% was determined. Sero‐prevalence of 31.0%, 32.37% and 4.5% was seen in the districts. Higher sero‐prevalence was observed in Limmu Seka, and the disease was statistically significant in both Limmu Kosa and Limmu Seka districts (p < 0.05). Higher sero‐prevalence was seen at Ambabesa Sadeka Peasant Association (42.86%). However, except Ambabesa Sadeka peasant association (PA), there was no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) of FMD occurrence among the nine PAs. Higher sero‐prevalence was recorded in females (33.65%), old age (39.1%), poor body condition (43.0%) and herd size (43.1%). Therefore, sex, age, body condition of the animals and herd size showed significant association (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of FMD in the study areas. Purchased animals were highly infected (56.4%), and there was also a statistically significant association in the origin of the animals (p < 0.05).

Overall, FMD is an economically important disease in the study areas.

Further studies are warranted to characterize FMD virus serotypes in the areas and investigation in wildlife and small ruminants is needed to determine their roles in FMD virus maintenance and transmission.

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and results in a high economic loss in the world. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 in three selected districts of the Jimma zone to determine the sero‐prevalence of FMD. A total of 384 cattle sera samples were collected from randomly selected cattle of the study areas and examined for the presence of FMD virus using FMD NSP c‐ELISA. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statics techniques were applied. Out of the total serum samples collected, 97 were found positive for the disease with an overall sero‐prevalence of 25.3%. Higher sero‐prevalence was observed in Limmu Seka, and the disease was statistically significant in Limmu Kosa and Limmu Seka districts. Overall, FMD is an economically important disease in the study areas which needs further investigation to understand its transmission methods.