Authors : Y. H. Ali, A. I. Khalafalla and M. A. El Amin
Abstract: The epidemiology of camel calf diarrhoea in four different areas in Sudan; River Nile (North), Gedarif (East), Sennar and Blue Nile (Central to South) and Kordofan (West) was studied. Data about the epidemiology of camel calf diarrhoea, its treatment regimen adopted by the owners was collected and analyzed. A total of 383 camel herds were investigated about the incidence of camel calf diarrhoea during wet and dry seasons over three years (2000-2002) in the focused areas. The overall morbidity rate of camel calf diarrhoea in the four areas of study was 83% while mortality and case fatality rates were 39.9% and 43.3%, respectively. The morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates of camel calf diarrhoea were found to be almost the same in the four areas focused during wet and dry seasons with slight increase during wet season. With regards to different treatment regimens adopted to diarrhoeic camel calves by the owners, 38.2% of cases were left without treatment, 58.51% received antibiotics while other drugs (symptomatic treatments, traditional medicines) constituted a very minor percentages. A serological survey was conducted using group A rotavirus antibody detection ELISA on 530 camel sera. The overall percentage of positive samples was 48.1%. Seropositivity was detected in all areas of study with slightly higher percentage in Sennar and Blue Nile States. The overall percentage of high antibody titer (4+) was 31.4% and 3+ was 22%. Most of the seropositive samples were collected from camels of 18-36 month of age and adult camels with slightly higher percentage in males than females (56.5% males and 43.5% females). A correlation was found between the seropositivity and the clinical status of diarrhoea. The highest percentage of seropositivity was found in clinically healthy camel calves (69.7%). The results showed the high prevalence of camel calf diarrhoea and the major role of rotavirus in the disease in Sudan.
Ali, Y. H. , A. I. Khalafalla and M. A. El Amin , 2005. Epidemiology of Camel Calf Diarrhoea in Sudan: Seroprevalence of Camel Rotavirus Infection . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 393-397.