Survey of Animal Husbandry and Zoonotic Disease Risk Factors in the Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2016 and 2017

Abstract

In Ethiopia, there are multiple endemic zoonotic diseases present, and the country, as a whole, is considered to have one of the heaviest burdens due to zoonosis outbreaks. Lack of research has been an issue in determining the transmittance and risk factors involved, especially in nomadic populations. The goal of this exploratory, cross-sectional study is to assess associations between animal health-seeking behavior and medicine use to the rate of self-reported febrile symptoms and use the results to create an effective multi-disciplinary, longitudinal study in the same Somali, pastoralist population. Preliminary data analysis has shown an association between symptomatic illness and providing food to livestock; supplementing with additives, vitamins, and medicines; and having veterinary care