A cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the
distribution of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and associated risk factors in three main agro-climatic
zones of Ethiopia. A total of 330 questionnaire surveys were collected from 44 peasant
associations (PA) distributed in 15 districts. Across agro-climate zones, herd-level LSD
prevalence in the midland agro-climate was significantly higher 55.
2% [95% confidence interval
(CI) 47.
5–62.
6] than in highland and lowland agro-climate zones. Overall observed LSD
prevalence at animal-level was 8.
1% (95% CI 7.
3–8.
9) and observed mortality was 2.
12%
(95% CI 1.
73–2.
6). The odds ratio (OR) of LSD occurrence in midland vs. highland and lowland
vs. highland zones was 3.
86 (95% CI 2.
61–5.
11) and 4.
85 (95% CI 2.
59–7.
1), respectively.
Significantly high risk of LSD occurrence was associated with communal grazing and watering
management (OR 4.
1, 95% CI 2.
02–6.
18) and introduction of new cattle (OR 8.
5, 95% CI
6.
0–11.
0). Our findings describe the distribution of LSD in different agro-climates in Ethiopia
along with associated risk factors, and can help shed light on the epidemiology of LSD in other
African countries suffering from the disease