Seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea in Camelus dromedarius from Tunisia.

Abstract

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting cattle. with emerging evidence of its spread to dromedary camels. This study evaluates the seroprevalence of BVD Pestivirus and identifies associated risk factors in Tunisian one-humped dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius). A total of 470 serum samples were randomly collected from dromedaries across eight governorates in southern and central Tunisia, screening them using a using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seropositivity rate was 23.6% (95% CI: 20-27%), with 111 camels testing positive for BVD antibodies. A multivariate analysis revealed three significant risk factors: younger camels (< 5 years old) showed higher seropositivity, camels in close contact with other ruminants had increased seroprevalence, and infection rates peaked during the summer. These findings suggest that Tunisian one-humped dromedaries are at risk of BVD Pestivirus, impacting epidemiologic dynamics among local livestock. Therefore, incorporating dromedaries into control strategies is crucial to reduce the economic impact of this disease at both local and continental levels.