Nairobi sheep Disease: A Review

Abstract

Nairobi sheep disease is a noncontiguous, tick-borne, viral infection of sheep and goats characterized by hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and high mortality. It is associated with the Nairobi sheep disease virus; transmitted by an Ixodid ticks, both transtadialy and transovarially. The virus causes acute gastroenteritis with mortality rate of 90% in susceptible population. It is originally thought to be endemic only in East Africa, particularly endemic in Kenya; but now a day it is reported from maney places in India and Srilanka. Sera positive for Nairobi sheep disease virus antibody were confirmed in an outbreak in haired sheep in Harar Province of Ethiopia. Nairobi sheep disease can causes a similar clinical picture with other important diseases which are endemic in Ethiopia such as, heart water, Rift Valley fever, anthrax, peste des petits ruminants, and coccidiosis. The endemicity of the disease in the neighboring country, Kenya, and the similarity of the disease with other highly prevalent diseases in Ethiopia through many conditions such as, clinical sign, mortality and morbidity lead Nairobi sheep disease in to consideration. Because if its once occur it may deteriorate the economy of the country, Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper reviews to familiarize Nairobi sheep disease, and organize recent information regarding to epidemiology and management of Nairobi sheep disease.  The disease can be diagnosed by clinical and laboratory methods. No effective treatment is available for Nairobi sheep disease.  It can be controlled by dipping or spraying of the animal by acaricides.

Keywords: Nairobi Sheep Disease, Nairobi sheep disease virus, Sheep, Tick born