Serological survey on bluetongue virus infection in camels at two camel-rearing regions of Somaliland

Abstract EN

To determine the presence and prevalence of bluetongue virus infection in camels at different geographical regions of Somaliland, a competitive enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (cELISA) for the detection of serum antibody against BTV in clinically healthy camels has been carried out at northern Somalia in two main districts of camel-rearing regions namely, Togdheer, and Waqoyi Galbed in the period between July 2008 to April 2009.

Results for bluetongue infection, herd size, and herd location, mixing with other animal species with various other associations were detected among demographic, husbandry and disease variables.

All camels tested were apparently normal without showing clinical signs and without history of any specific clinical signs for BTV infection.

Out of 30 camel/herds investigated, 7 (23.33%) herds were serologically-negative and 23 (76.67%) were serologically-positive by cELISA to BT virus infection with an overall prevalence of 13.96% (n=93).

According to sex, for 286 males tested, 9 (30.0%) herds were found serologically-negative and 21 (70.0%) with an overall total prevalence of 13.64% (n=39).

For 380 she camels tested, 54 (14.21%) camels were serologically-positive and 326 (85.79%) camels were serologically-negative.

According to districts investigated, for Togdheer district, out of 16 camel/herds investigated, 4 (25.0%) herds were serologically-negative and 12 (75.0%) were found to be serologically- positive by cELISA with overall prevalence of 14.32% (n=54) out of 377 tested camels.

For Waqoyi Galbed district, Out of 14 camel/herds investigated, 3 (21.43%) herds were serologically-negative and 11 (78.57%) were serologically-positive by cELISA to BTV infection with a.total prevalence of 12.33% (n=39) out of 289 camels tested.

The results of the present investigation indicate that the bluetongue virus exists within the camel herds.

The findings suggest that the disease is widely distributed in most investigated parts of the Somaliland where possible insect vectors may prevail and may suggest disease endimicity which is probably subclinical or in-apparent in camels of the Somaliland.

The results presented here may consider the first confirmation of bluetongue virus antibody in camels in Somaliland.