Participatory epidemiology and associated risk factors of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle in South Omo zone, South-Western Ethiopia

Participatory appraisal was applied to determine the major cattle diseases and investigate the epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Omo pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock production system. Furthermore, assessment of associated risk factors in particular concern to local production system was conducted by participatory appraisal. The participatory methods used were clinical observation, matrix ranking and scoring, proportional piling and seasonal calendar. The result of matrix ranking and scoring showed that hemorrhagic septicemia, contagious bovine pleuro pneumonia (CBPP), trypanosomosis, FMD, black leg and anthrax were the major diseases of cattle in South Omo zone. The finding of seasonal calendar indicated that incidence of FMD was found to be high during the dry season than cold dry season. The lowest incidence was reported during the rainy season. Similarly, contact of herds with wild animals increased during dry season than rainy season. Based on this finding participatory epidemiology was found to be an important approach in veterinary investigations and it can also be used besides to conventional approaches.