Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted from January to June 2012 to determine the sero-prevalence of Infectious bursal disease (IBD) in chicken reared under backyard poultry production systems around Mekelle town, Tigray regional state. During the study period blood samples were collected from 384 unvaccinated backyard chickens from three different areas. A commercial indirect enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the sera for IBD anitbodies kit. The overall sero-prevalence of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) antibody in chickens was found to be 45.05% (173/384). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the sero-prevalence of IBDV among/between the different age groups, sex and origin of chickens. The result of this study indicates that IBD is prevalent in the study area. The prevalence of IBDV antibody in unvaccinated backyard chickens might be due to field exposure of chickens to the disease and indicated the importance of further study on the epidemiology of the disease and the sero-type of the IBDV that are circulating in the country to design appropriate control measures. Key words: Infectious bursal disease (IBD), chickens, sero-prevalence, Mekele, indirect enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).
Highlights
Livestock plays an important role in the agricultural economy of Africa
The contribution of poultry production to the small holder farmers and the country economy is still restricted by various factors like low inputs of feeding, poor management, infectious diseases and lack of appropriate selection and breeding practice (Alemu, 1995; Tadelle and Ogle, 2001; Halima et al, 2007)
This study was conducted to determine the Sero-prevalence of Infectious bursal disease (IBD) in unvaccinated backyard chickens around Mekelle town, Northern
Summary
Livestock plays an important role in the agricultural economy of Africa. Poultry occupies a unique position in terms of its contribution to the provision of high quality food protein to rural small holder farming families in Africa. The contribution of poultry production to the small holder farmers and the country economy is still restricted by various factors like low inputs of feeding, poor management, infectious diseases and lack of appropriate selection and breeding practice (Alemu, 1995; Tadelle and Ogle, 2001; Halima et al, 2007). This study was conducted to determine the Sero-prevalence of IBD in unvaccinated backyard chickens around Mekelle town, Northern Sera samples were tested for IBDV specific antibodies using a commercial IBDV-ELISA kit
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