Seroepidemiological study of bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 in the dairy cattle herds of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1(BoHV-1) causes respiratory disease, abortions, and genital disorders in cattle. Although BoHV-1 has been known to cause severe economic damage to the dairy industries, little is known about its epidemiology in dairy cattle of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The present study aimed to determine the seropre-valence and the risk factors associated with the occurrence of BoHV-1. A total of 369 blood samples from 115 dairy herds were collected using a proportional stratified random sampling method and examined antibodies against BoHV-1 using ELISA test. A questionnaire survey was done to gather information related to farm de-mographics and reproductive disorders. Univariate and multivariate mixed-effect logistic regression analyses were used. The overall seroprevalence of BoHV-1 was detected in 21 % (95%CI: 17-25%) and 32 % (95%CI: 24-42 %) at animal and herd levels, respectively. A multivariable mixed effect logistic regression model revealed that adult cattle had 14 times (OR = 14.32; 95 % CI: 2.53-81.5; P = 0.003) more likely to increase the risk of being BoHV-1 seropositive than young cattle. Purchased cattle had 4 times (OR = 4.15; 95 % CI: 1.36-12.66, P = 0.012) more likely to increase the risk of being BoHV-1 seropositive than homebred cattle. The risk of being BoHV-1 seropositive was 195 times higher in herds using bulls (OR =195.51; 95 % CI: 3.62-1056.51; P = 0.010) than in herds using artificial insemination only for breeding. BoHV-1 seropositivity was significantly associated with cows that had a history of abortion (OR = 6.89; 95 % CI: 1.97-22.76; P = 0.002), retained placenta (OR = 3.26; 95 % CI: 1.32-8.07; P = 0.010), and repeat breeding (OR = 3.64; 95 % CI: 1.08-12.18; P = 0.036). This study demonstrated the gaps in the selection of BoHV-1 free bulls for breeding as well as limited farm biosecurity practices. Thus, awareness creation for dairy farmers on good farm biosecurity practices including vaccination should be initiated.