Supporting Evidence Based Interventions-Livestock, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
Jennifer K. Lane
One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Fiona K. Allan
Supporting Evidence Based Interventions-Livestock, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
Gema Vidal
One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Ciara Vance
Supporting Evidence Based Interventions-Livestock, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
Meritxell Donadeu
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia
Wendi Jackson
One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Veronica Nwankpa
Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia
Shubisa Abera
Animal Health Institute (AHI), Sebeta P.O. Box 04, Ethiopia
Getnet Abie Mekonnen
Animal Health Institute (AHI), Sebeta P.O. Box 04, Ethiopia
Nigatu Kebede
Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia
Berhanu Admassu
Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Kassaw Amssalu
Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 62347, Ethiopia
Alemayehu Lemma
College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu P.O. Box 34, Ethiopia
Tsegaw Fentie
College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Tewodros Campus, University of Gondar, Gondar P.O. Box 169, Ethiopia
Woutrina Smith
One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Andrew R. Peters
Supporting Evidence Based Interventions-Livestock, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
Morbidity and mortality of young stock present economic and production challenges to livestock producers globally. In Ethiopia, calf morbidity and mortality rates, particularly due to diarrhea and respiratory disease, are high, limiting production, incomes, and the ability of farmers to improve their livelihoods. In this paper, we present findings from the combined experience of the Young Stock Mortality Reduction Consortium, which conducted epidemiological and intervention testing in calves across three production systems. This innovative alliance identified Cryptosporidium parvum and E. Coli K99 as the most common causes of diarrhea in pastoral and peri-urban calves; Strongyloides spp. as the most common fecal parasite in mixed crop–livestock and peri-urban calves; and bovine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus-3, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus as the most common respiratory pathogens in peri-urban calves. Furthermore, by improving producer knowledge with respect to fundamental livestock husbandry, feeding, housing, and neonatal care practices, calf mortality risk across production systems was reduced by 31.4 to 71.4% compared to baseline (between 10.5 and 32.1%), whereas risk of diarrhea was reduced by 52.6–75.3% (baseline between 11.4 and 30.4%) and risk of respiratory disease was reduced by 23.6–80.8% (baseline between 3.3 and 16.3%). These findings have informed scaling strategies and can potentially contribute to improved livestock productivity and human livelihoods in Ethiopia.
