Epidemiologic and Serologic Investigation of Multifactorial Respiratory Disease of Sheep in the Central Highland of Ethiopia

The prevalence of respiratory disease syndromes was investigated in 859 sheep in North Shoa, in the central highland of Ethiopia. Pasteurellosis, known locally as “Engib,” has become a disease of major concern in the study area. During the 1-year study period, the highest respiratory morbidity rate (64%) was observed in July; the lowest occurred in December (5%). Sera from 160 sheep were examined for 10 serotypes of Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A and P multocida biotype A using indirect hemagglutination testing. Positive results were seen for the presence of specific antibodies to all serotypes. The most prevalent serotype was A2 (36%); the least prevalent was A9 (2%). The remainder of serotypes (A2 to A9) varied in frequency. Ten percent of the sera were positive for P multocida A. Dictyocaulus filaria, National Veterinary Institute