Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sheep Pox and Its Comparison to Capri pox Double Antigen Multispecies Elisa in Kordofan States in Sudan

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was performed in the Kordofan region, from March to September 2011 was compared to Capripox Double Ag ELISA for multispecies. The estimated overall sero-prevalence of sheep pox in Kordofan region was 73.4% determined by virus neutralization and was prevalent in both South and North Kordofan states at 85% and 63.6% respectively. However, Seroprevalence for lumpy skin disease was 5% and 62% for sheep pox by using Capripox Double Ag ELISA. The serological information was used to identify potential risk factors associated with sheep pox outbreaks. The risk factors identified were the breed, age, sex, species, movement patterns, herd size and geographic region. In addition, a questionnaire explored producer’s knowledge about the disease in the Sudan. The results of the questionnaire were that both nomadic as well as fixed farmers were generally aware of sheep pox as a disease, but most did not have full knowledge about the disease. Greater than half of producers experienced the disease in the past 2 years and did not have their sheep vaccinated.