ISSN: 2474-9222
Authors: Zewde D
Poultry is one of the largest group of livestock species in the world in which chickens largely dominate the flock composition. Although this sector has a potential in elevating poverty in one country it is seriously challenged with various factors, of which poultry disease is the main. Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious and upper respiratory disease of chickens which is caused by a Gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) belonging to the genus Iltovirus, and subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae within Herpesviridae family was one of a deadly poultry disease which impose to a loss of production and productivity gained from the sector. Cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 in three selected cities of Oromia region (Bishoftu, Adama and Modjo), Ethiopia. In the current study area, of the total 386 serum samples collected using simple random sampling method 14 (3.63%; 95%CI: 2.15-6.04) were found positive for anti-ILTV antibody detection using Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Prevalence of the disease at flock level was found 5/17 (29.41%; 95% CI: 11.52%- 57.14%). Different risk factors (sex, age, sampling area, breed, production type, origin, management and supplementation of vitamins) were considered as covariates for this study. Of the different risk factors considered; sampling area, production type, age, origin and management were found statistically significant (p<0.05) whereas the rest factors were not significantly associated with the outcome variable using chi-square analysis. However, using logistic regression model sampling area and management were found significantly associated (p<0.05) with the occurrence of the disease. The result of this study revealed that ILT virus is circulating among commercial chickens in the selected study areas and needs due emphasis to tackle and cease its spread using vaccination, although ILT vaccine is not familiarized now days in Ethiopia. In addition, proper management and biosecurity measures will be highly recommended as the disease is a deadly disease once introduced into the farm.
Keywords: East Shoa; ILTV; Indirect ELISA; Poultry; Risk factors; Sero-prevalence
