Improving animal and human health via identification and characterization of diarrhoeal pathogens in ruminants in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a sub-Saharan country inhabited by about 100 million people with frequent occurrence of draughts.

The country is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa - 53 million cattle, 26 million sheep, and 22 million goats, which contribute immensely to the national economy and food security.

However, the resource cannot be utilized efficiently due to many problems, among which a number of important diseases of ruminants that reduce their productivity are of paramount importance. About one-half of all lambs born in the country die due to various causes.

Diarrhoea is a leading health problem of ruminants, especially the young stock, causing huge economic loss and affecting food safety and security.

The incidence of diarrhoea in calves under 30 days of age varies between 10% and 20%; the disease accounts for about 75% of all the mortality of dairy calves less than three weeks of age.

It is obvious that infectious agents, especially in young animals, cause severe diarrhoea that may lead to the death of the animals.

The overall purpose of this project is to determine what types of infectious agents, in particular viruses and bacteria, but also protozoa that circulate in Ethiopia for the ultimate goal to put in suitable counter measures to prevent diarrhoea in young ruminant and improve animal health and as a consequence this will lead to more food and improve human health, both directly and indirectly, and economy.