Background: While camels (dromedaries) were traditionally believed to be resistant to most
livestock diseases, research has demonstrated that they are susceptible to a large number of
infectious agents. Based on the clinical appearance of typical lesions, Camel contagious
ecthyma (CCE), caused by a Orf virus, is thought to be one of the most common viral
diseases of camelids in Ethiopia. However, the epidemiology of the disease has not been
formally described and the causative agent has never been molecularly confirmed.
Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 in
Arero district of Borena Zone, to assess morbidity and mortality rates of the of disease
consistent with CCE, isolate and molecularly identify the causative agents and to find out the
potential risk factors. Molecular technique, namely, PCR based on B2L gene-specific primers of
ORFV was used for the confirmatory diagnosis of CCE virus from the skin lesions.
Results: Majority (86.8%) of the respondents indicated occurrence of CCE outbreaks in their
herds in the past one year (a year preceding the start of the study). The overall morbidity and
mortality rates attributed to CCE was 43.6% (95 % CI: 41.2%–46%) and 6.3% (95 % CI: 5.2
–7.6%) respectively. Confirmatory diagnosis of the suspected Orf virus isolates using
conventional PCR techniques generated the expected amplification product of 1200bp for one
of the samples. No product was amplified from the DNA samples of the negative control.
This study showed that young camels (calves) had higher odds of becoming affected by CCE
than adults [OR=3.44 (95 % CI: 2.29 –4.09); (p<0.05)]. The disease had marked seasonality
with most of the cases occurring during rainy season. Acacia trees significantly contribute to
virus dissemination through damaging the lips of browsing camels.
Conclusions: This study confirms the presence and importance of CCE in Ethiopia and
establishes the basis for further research.