Seroprevalence and risk factors of sheep and goat pox virus in selected districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Importance: Sheep and goat pox (SGP) virus infection is a highly fatal viral infection of small ruminants that causes major production losses in sheep and goats in Ethiopia while also limiting international trade.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SGP infection and assess related risk variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2023 on 384 serum samples taken from sheep and goats. A serum neutralization test was conducted to detect the presence of antibodies against the SGP virus in Wolaita Sodo Regional Laboratory.

Results: The overall seroprevalence rate of SGP was 4.95%. Factors such as sheep (8.26%), female sheep and goats (7.45%), older sheep and goats (8.33%), larger flock size of sheep and goats (10.47%), poorly conditioned sheep and goats (31.58%), sheep and goats with a tick on their skin (10.38%), and animals that had not been vaccinated (5.17%) were found to have higher seroprevalence. Furthermore, the seropositivity in sheep was five times greater than in goats (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-15.99). Additionally, large-sized flocks of sheep and goats were more likely to be seropositive to pox disease than small-sized flocks (AOR, 6.73; 95% CI, 1.58-28.67).

Conclusions and relevance: Thus, the study revealed the prevalence of SGP in the Wolaita zone. Additional research should be conducted to estimate the extent of the disease at the regional level, and management measures should be implemented to reduce the economic losses associated with this condition.