Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in Khartoum State - Sudan

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) in Khartoum State, Sudan using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay from 31 August to 23 September 2013. Sera samples were collected from 184 equines (112 donkeys and 72 horses). The results showed that 6 of the donkeys (5.4%) and 10 of the horses (13.9%) were positive. The overall sero-prevalence recorded in this study was 8.7% . Hypothesis testing for association between disease and potential risk factors ( locality, animal species, color, sex, age, animal body condition, presence of other disease, veterinary service, type of work, housing, presence with other animals, source of water, type of grass and presence of vectors) was first tested by the univariate analysis. Nine of the risk factors (locality, animal species, Sex, animal body condition, type of work , veterinary service, presence with other animals, type of grass and presence of vector) were significantly associated with the disease (P-value ≤ 0.25). The multivariate analysis showed that only four of the risk factors: locality, animal species, type of grass and presence of vector had a significant association with the disease (P-value ≤ 0.05) . These results raised up an urgent need to initiate a realistic network for surveillance, control and eradication of such important disease.