Research Article
Iyasu Angani Dereja and Dag
Abstract
A cross sectional study on infectious coryza was conducted in Jimma, Ethiopia, from November 2011 to April 2012 with the objectives of determining the prevalence of infectious coryza, and associated factors. A total of 456 specimens from chicken were processed and the overall infection prevalence was 22.4%. From animal related risk factors considered, breed and age were found to be risk factors. Isolation of the agent, Avibacterium paragallinarum, in exotic and cross breeds were highly statistically significant compared to local breeds (odds ratio=3.890, P-value=0.000 and odds ratio=2.282, P-value=0.010, respectively). The highest incidence was observed January to April. Swab specimens revealed more infection (27.1%) than fecal samples (18.9%) suggesting the disease is more respiratory than it is digestive or systemic. Though clinically ill ones, there were numerous chickens with the infection without showing any sign of the disease. Based on these findings, keeping the genetic potential of the local breed poultry while upgrading their productive potential is recommended as a best method to control the infection.