Ethiopia: Livestock Disease Management and Food Safety Brief

According to recent estimates, Ethiopia has 56.71 million cattle, 29.33 million sheep, 29.11 million goats, 1.16 million camels, and 56.87 million poultry. The predominant livestock production system in Ethiopia is extensive, where indigenous breeds are kept under low-input/low-output husbandry practices. The productivity of this sector is constrained by several factors, and livestock mortality rates are high. Death estimates for 2014/2015 fiscal year were 3.23 million cattle, 4.37 million sheep, 4.90 million goats, 18,231 camels, and 41,195 chickens. Several endemic animal diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites compromise the productivity of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is endemic in Ethiopia and outbreaks occur in cattle throughout the country, with the highest incidence in central Ethiopia. The overall herd- and animal-level prevalence of FMD is 57.6% and 11.9%, respectively. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is an endemic viral disease of cattle in Ethiopia, with herd-level prevalence of 44% and animal-level prevalence of 27%. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is an endemic bacterial disease of cattle in Ethiopia, with overall animal-level prevalence of 5.6%. Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) is endemic in Ethiopia, with low prevalence in the extensive system and high prevalence in urban and peri-urban dairy farms. Brucellosis is a significant disease in Ethiopia, with herd- and animal-level prevalence of 26.1% and 3.5%, respectively. Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is mainly a bacterial disease of goats, but outbreaks also occur in sheep. The prevalence of CCPP is 32.7% in goats and 18.3% in sheep in the Tigray and Afar regions. Peste des Petits Ruminant (PPR) is a viral disease of sheep and goats, with prevalence of 6.4% in a countrywide study. Trypanosomiasis is endemic in Ethiopia, particularly in southwest, west, and northwest areas. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis in southwestern Ethiopia is estimated to be 10.3% in cattle and 14.1% in small ruminants. The government of Ethiopia has created the Ethiopia Livestock Master Plan (ELMP) to address the challenges facing the livestock sector. The animal health part of the plan calls for establishment of a robust animal health information system, reduced production losses by controlling prioritized diseases, and increased export earnings by reinforcing the quarantine, inspection, and certification system. The ELMP also aims to decrease the impact of zoonotic diseases on public health by controlling them and ensuring the safety of animal products.