Participatory Epidemiological Study on Major Livestock Diseases in Selected Districts of Korahay and Dollo Zones in the Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Livestock play a crucial role in the livelihood of pastoral communities in Ethiopia's Somali Region, but their productivity is hindered by widespread endemic and transboundary diseases. A participatory epidemiological study, conducted from June 25 to July 30, 2025, in five districts of the Korahay and Dollo zones, aimed to identify and prioritize major livestock diseases, assess seasonal trends, and understand community perceptions. Participatory methods such as focus group discussions, proportional piling, pairwise scoring, matrix scoring, and seasonal calendaring were used, involving livestock owners, herders, local veterinary personnel, and community leaders. Among livestock species, goats were ranked as the most important, followed by sheep, camels, cattle, and donkeys. The top five livestock diseases identified were Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (14.2%), Peste des Petits Ruminants (13.0%), Hemorrhagic Septicemia (12.0%), Sheep and Goat Pox (11.0%), and Trypanosomiasis (9.8%) respectively. The study revealed a high and statistically significant agreement (W = 0.886, p < 0.001) across the five districts regarding the prioritization of major livestock diseases, indicating consistent perceptions throughout the study areas. CCPP and PPR were perceived as the most severe and transmissible, particularly during the summer season, due to livestock congregation around water sources. SGP and Trypanosomiasis peak in the spring and autumn seasons, respectively, while Hemorrhagic Septicemia occurs mostly in the winter. The main challenges identified by the community were animal disease as the top priority, followed by drought, limited access to veterinary services, and scarcity of feed and water resources. The study recommended the setup of mobile veterinary clinics, seasonal vaccination campaigns targeting CCPP and PPR, integrated participatory and conventional disease diagnosis, water harvesting for fodder production, pastoral education on biosecurity, collaboration with neighboring regions to control cross-border diseases, and the integration of livestock health programs. The study highlights the effectiveness of participatory epidemiology in guiding community-based solutions to livestock health challenges in pastoral areas of Ethiopia's Somali Region.