Seroprevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Local Borana Cattle Breed and Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Bovine viral diarrhea, caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), has been considered a disease of cattle but is now emerging in camels. In Ethiopia it has been detected in exotic and cross-bred dairy cattle but no information is available on its occurrence in indigenous cattle breeds and camels. This study was, therefore, conducted to estimate the prevalence of BVDV infection in indigenous Borana cattle and camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Moyale and Miesso pastoral districts. METHODOLOGY: Serological investigation was carried out on 219 cattle from 44 herds and 137 camels from 11 herds in contact with the selected cattle herds in Boranara zone and 348 camels from 41 herds in Shinille zone. The sera samples were tested using a competitive enzyme lnked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) to detect antibodies against p80 protein of BVDV. In addition, all of the cattle sera were tested using antigen detection ELISA for identification of persistent infection. RESULTS: Among the 219 cattle tested, 177 (80.82%; 95% CI: 74.97–85.81) were found to be positive for antibodies against BVDV in Moyale district, Borena Zone. The prevalence varied among different age groups and parity. The highest prevalence was observed in cattle aged 8 years and older (84.0%; 95% CI: 69.6–98.4) and in primiparous cattle (85.5%; 95% CI: 76.2–94.8). Two of the 219 cattle tested (0.05%; 95% CI: 0.02–0.08) were found to be positive with antigen detection ELISA. In addition, out of a total of 137 camels tested, two (1.46%; 95% CI: 0.18–5.17) were found to be positive in this district. Among the 348 camels tested, eight (2.29%; 95% CI: 0.99–4.485) were found to be positive for antibodies against BVDV. In conclusion, this study revealed a high prevalence of infection in Borana cattle. In addition, it recorded the occurrence of infection with BVDV in camel herds. None of the camels tested positive for the antigen of BVDV using antigen ELISA.