Molecular Epidemiology of Marek?�?s Disease Outbreak in Chickens in Selected Areas of Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

Marek‘s disease (MD), caused by Marek‘s Disease virus (MDV) is a highly contagious oncogenic and neuropathic disease of chickens disease characterized by development of CD4+T cell lymphomas as well as infiltration of nerves and visceral organ by lymphocytes. It is a major threat to the poultry industry in many countries of the world including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to conduct an outbreak based cross-sectional investigation of MD caused by Gallid Alphaherpes virus type 2 (GaHV-2) by molecular tool February 2020 to November 2020 in chickens from selected areas in the Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia. For this purpose a total of 82 samples pooled of five feather follicle from chickens were collected and DNA was extracted at National Animal Health Diagnosis and Investigation Center (NAHDIC), Sabata. Of the total samples tested for Meq genes using RT-qPCR, 8 (9.76%) samples were found positive for MDV. The prevalence of MD in male was found to be 7.84% and that in female was 10.62%. On the other hand, the prevalence of MD was higher in Adult (12%), compared to old (10.53%) and young chickens (4.44%). The prevalence of MD in backyard 16.23% and in poultry farm 14.13%. From the overall prevalence of 9.76%, the highest score was recorded in Bishoftu (12%) and no positive case was detected in Batu while intermediate (9.52%) score were obtained from Hawasa. In general, the present study provide important information on epidemiology of MDV in most poultry farm and backyard in the middle Rift Valley of Ethiopia, and highlight the importance of implementing surveillances and biosecurity in backyard and poultry farm.