Abstract
Aims:The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) in dairy cattle in Jordan.Materials and Methods:A simple randomized study was designed to collect 600 serum samples from sheep and 300 serum samples from dairy cattle located in the Northwestern parts of Jordan. In addition, data regarding farm management were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire through personal interview to determine potential risk factors. The seroprevalences of BEF and BTVs were determined using serum neutralization test and BTV group-specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.Results:The overall seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against BEFV in dairy cattle was 45.37%. The overall seroprevalence of BTV group-specific antibodies in sheep was 47.8% (54% true seroprevalence). Logistic regression analysis identified geographic location (Irbid) (odds ratio [OR]=1.0; confidence interval [CI]=0.5-2.1), no use of disinfectants on the farm (OR=1.0; CI=0.05-0.1), and lack of veterinary services (OR=10; CI=3.5-13.2) as risk factors associated with high seropositivity against BTV in sheep. Geographic location (Jarash) (OR=3; CI=1.0-5.5), age of the animal (1-2 years of age (OR=1; CI=0.3-1.9), and lack of veterinary services (OR=9; CI=4-11) were identified as risk factors associated with high seroprevalence against BEFV in dairy cattle.Conclusion:Results of this study indicate that BEFV in dairy cattle and BTV in sheep are endemic in Northwestern regions of Jordan. Implementation of appropriate control measures is, therefore, required to reduce the adverse effects of these diseases on animal health and productivity.
Highlights
Arthropod-transmitted viruses in ruminants including the bluetongue virus (BTV) and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) are important diseases that may result in significant economic losses [1,2,3,4]
Logistic regression analysis identified geographic location (Irbid), no use of disinfectants on the farm (OR=1.0; CI=0.05-0.1), and lack of veterinary services (OR=10; CI=3.5-13.2) as risk factors associated with high seropositivity against BTV in sheep
Geographic location (Jarash) (OR=3; CI=1.0-5.5), age of the animal (1-2 years of age (OR=1; CI=0.3-1.9), and lack of veterinary services (OR=9; CI=4-11) were identified as risk factors associated with high seroprevalence against BEFV in dairy cattle
Summary
Arthropod-transmitted viruses in ruminants including the bluetongue virus (BTV) and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) are important diseases that may result in significant economic losses [1,2,3,4]. Arthropod-transmitted viral diseases of livestock animals are associated with severe economic losses due to reduced animal productivity, costs of veterinary services, and restrictions on trade and transboundary transportation of animals and animal products [5,6]. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated
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