Veterinary Science & Technology

Serological and Molecular Investigation of African swine fever in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Abenezer Gemechu*

This study was conducted between December 2016 and April 2017 in central Ethiopia to detect African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in export abattoir in Addis Ababa and to investigate ASF suspected outbreaks in central Ethiopia and assess associated risk factors. A study was conducted on targeted pig population slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise to investigate ASFV from collected samples. 65 tissue and 104 whole blood samples were collected from fattened pig that came to Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise from four different farms in and around Addis Ababa. The samples were submitted to national animal health diagnostic and investigation center/(NAHDIC) for the detection of the virus. The tissues were pooled together from different organs and screened by PCR using primers. The sera were separated from whole blood in the laboratory and then ASFV antibody detection was performed using the Blocking ELISA assays. Both the serology and molecular test results revealed that none were positive for ASFV. These results indicate that the pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise during these period were free of ASFV. But in March 2017, subsequent ASF outbreaks were notified in Adama farm with intensive farming systems. Accordingly, 34 whole blood samples were collected from the outbreak and screened by real time PCR at NAHDIC. Out of the 34 samples tested, eleven samples were positive for African swine fever virus by the OIE prescribed real time PCR. Though, the assessment for the circulation of ASFV antibodies in apparently health pigs revealed negative, the test from the outbreak confirmed the presence of African swine fever virus in Ethiopia. Thus, swine farmers and concerned authorities need to consider the situation and take appropriate action.