Characterization of Newcastle Disease Virus and poultry-handling practices in live poultry markets, Ethiopia

• Published in: SpringerPlus Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 459
• Main Authors: Mulisa, Delesa Damena, W/Kiros, Menbere Kidane, Alemu, Redeat Belaineh, Keno, Melaku Sombo, Furaso, Alice, Heidari, Alireza, Chibsa, Tesfaye Rufael, Chunde, Hassen Chaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 23.08.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Paramyxoviridae; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Live poultry markets; Newcastle disease virus; Biosecurity practices; Molecular characterization; Ethiopia
• ISSN: 2193-1801; 2193-1801
• DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-459

Newcastle disease represents the most severe poultry disease responsible for marked economic losses in Ethiopia. To provide a molecular characterization of Newcastle disease viruses circulating in this country, a cross sectional survey was conducted at five selected live poultry market sites in Addis Ababa. In addition, baseline data on the live poultry market system were acquired through a detailed questionnaire submitted to poultry traders. We identified 44/146 positive samples, 29 of which were virulent strains belonging to sub-genotype VIf. The very poor biosecurity practices, which have resulted from responses of the participants, suggest that they might have had a heavy impact in the spread of the disease. This study provides important information on epidemiology and control of NDV in Ethiopia and highlights the importance of implementing surveillances and biosecurity practices in live poultry markets.