Major Transboundary Disease of Ruminants and their Economic Effect in Ethiopia

Abstract

Trans-boundary animal diseases pose a serious risk to animal production and jeopardize international trade. The objectives of this paper were to give general overview about major trans boundary disease of ruminants and their economic effect in Ethiopia.Ethiopia has been facing devastating economic losses from major outbreaks of trans-boundary animal diseases (TADs) such as foot and mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, lumpy skin disease in cattle and pest des petites ruminants, contagious Caprine pleuropneumonia, sheep and goat pox, and brucellosis in small ruminants. These diseases impose major economic costs and risks to the country, the neighbors, and trading partners. Even though both the direct and indirect impact of these diseases causes devastating economic losses to the country, the indirect effect is more serious. The trade implication of TADs can cause a greater economic impact than the direct production losses themselves. The trade ban due to the existence of these major trans-boundary disease and other negative domestic impacts on agriculture and other sectors, can be raised as an example. Among other factors affecting the economic benefit of the country from livestock sector, increased outbreaks of highly contagious trans- boundary animal diseases (TADs) is considered as major cause of economy loses. To obtain, expected value from animal sub-sector government policy and roles of Veterinary Services in function of TADs control, rapid detection and early response need improvement.