Gompo, T. R. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2020

Sero-prevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis in commercial cattle herds of Rupandehi district, Nepal

Nepal has an agrarian-based economy where the livestock sector contributes about 12 percent to the national GDP. Rupandehi district is one of the largest dairy pocket areas in the nation, but the disease, such as leptospirosis, posed a negative impact on their production and productivity. Despite the economic importance of cattle leptospirosis, the disease is concerned for the peoples occupational risk and food safety. Although leptospirosis is a priority zoonosis in Nepal, the effective implementation of the control program lacks both in animal and human health. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and identify associated risk factors of cattle leptospirosis from March 2019 to April 2020. Altogether, 206 cattle herds located in all the sixteen local levels of the district were visited. The owners were interviewed to record the cattle management systems information and their knowledge of the zoonotic diseases. A total of 383 cattle serum samples were collected, and an indirect antibody ELISA was performed to estimate the infection status of leptospirosis in the cattle herds. All the data were analyzed by Open epi and R software for the descriptive and analytical study. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was applied to assess the potential herd level and animal level risk factors. Out of seven potential herd-level risk factors, the purchased cattle herds (OR: 7.2, 95% CI: 1.24-136.5, p=0.025) and cattle with herd size >10 (OR: 14.92, 95% CI: 2.61-283.38, p=0.025) were identified as significant risk factors for leptospirosis. At the animal level, the cattle taken for grazing in pastureland accessed by the community dog was a significant risk factor (OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.13-14.06, p=0.034). Surprisingly, none of the farmers had heard about leptospirosis before. The outcome of this research could be an epidemiological insight in control of priority zoonosis to protect the livestock economy and reduce their negative impact on public health.

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bioRxiv2019

Risk factors associated with Avian Influenza subtype H9 outbreaks on poultry farms in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Poultry sector contributes to four percent in national GDP of Nepal. However, this sector is under threat with periodic outbreaks of Avian Influenza (AI) subtypes H5 and H9 since 2009. This has been both a both public health threat and an economic issue. Since last three years, outbreaks of AI subtype H9 has caused huge economic losses in major poultry producing areas of Nepal. However, the risk factors associated with these outbreaks have not been assessed. A retrospective case-control study was conducted from April 2018 to May 2019 in Kathmandu Valley to understand the risk factors associated with AI subtype H9 outbreaks. Out of 100 farms selected, 50 were \"case\" farms, confirmed positive to H9 at Central Veterinary Laboratory, Kathmandu, and other 50 farms were \"control\" farms, matched for farm size and locality within a radius of three km from the case farm. Each farm was visited to collect information using semi-structured questionnaire. Nineteen potential risk factors were included in the questionnaire under the broad categories: birds and farm characteristics, management aspects and biosecurity status of the farms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to calculate corresponding odds ratios. Identified risk factors associated with AI subtype H9 outbreaks in Kathmandu valley were: \"Birds of age 31-40 days\" (OR= 11.31, 95% CI: 1.31-98.02, p=0.028), \"Older farms operating for >5 years\" (OR= 10.9, 95% CI: 1.76-66.93, p=0.01), \"Commercial layers farms\" (OR=36.0, 95% CI: 0.97-1332.40, p=0.052), \"Used stream water to water birds (OR= 5.7, 95% CI: 1.10-30.13, p=0.039)\", \"Farms without practice of fumigation after each batch of poultry (OR= 4, 95% CI: 1.44-13.13, p=0.009)., \"Farm with previous history of AI (OR= 13.8, 95% CI: 1.34-143.63, p = 0.028), \"Did not applied farm boots (OR= 2.58, 95% CI: 0.98-6.80, p= 0.055), \"Visitors allowed to enter the farms (OR= 2.5, 95% CI: 1.011-6.17, p = 0.047) and \"No foot bath at entry of farms (OR= 3.3, 95% CI: 1.29-8.38, p = 0.013). This study depicts that outbreaks of AI subtype H9 in Kathmandu valley was related to poor management practices and biosecurity in the poultry farms. We suggest improving management practices and increase biosecurity in the farms to reduce incidences of AI subtype H9 outbreaks in Kathmandu valley.

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