# Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Camel Calf Diarrhea in Shabeley and Kebribayah Districts, Fafan Zone, Eastern Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that bacterial infections are a major cause of diarrhea in camel calves in Eastern Ethiopia, with Escherichia coli being the most common.

## Contribution

The study identifies risk factors and prevalence of bacterial pathogens in camel calf diarrhea in specific Ethiopian districts.

## Key findings

- Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterial pathogen (58%) in camel calf diarrhea.
- Calves aged 7–12 months and those with diarrhea had higher infection rates.
- Convalescent calves were 1.79 times more likely to be infected than healthy calves.

## Abstract

Infectious diarrhea is one of the most serious health threats to camel calves, causing death and substantial loss. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing diarrhea in camel calves and identify the associated risk factors in the Shabeley and Kebribayah Districts of the Fafan zone, Eastern Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from March 2022 to January 2023 to isolate and identify bacteriological infections of camel calf diarrhea and their associated risk factors in selected districts of the Fafen zone of the Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia. In total, 384 fecal swabs were collected from diarrheal, convalescent, and healthy camel calves. Using pure culture and bacteriological isolation, the overall prevalence of a bacterial infection was 66 (17.2%; 95% Cl: 0.13–0.21). Similarly, the distribution of the identified bacterial species was as follows: Escherichia coli (58%), Salmonella spp. (30%), and Enterococcus spp. (12%). The prevalence of camel calf infections in Kebribayah (9.0%) was higher than that in Shabeley (8.3%). Similarly, calves aged 7–12 months and diarrheal calves showed higher infection rates (7.6% and 8.6%, respectively). However, younger calves aged 0–3 months and apparently healthy calves had the lowest prevalence (4.7% and 3.4%, respectively). In the univariate logistic regression analysis, calves aged 7–12 months and calves with diarrhea showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of diarrhea in camel calves was statistically significant (p > 0.05) in the multivariable logistic analysis. However, convalescent calves (OR = 1.79, 95% Cl: 0.38–1.64) were 1.79 times more likely to be infected with bacterial species than apparently healthy camel calves. This study indicated the presence of enteric bacteria in the study areas; therefore, further epidemiological investigations on other species of enteric bacteria and the implementation of public health education are warranted.