Farmers’ perception of dourine in selected districts of Arsi-Bale highlands of Oromia Region, Southeastern Ethiopia

In Arsi-Bale highlands, the one common factor leading to the ill health, suffering and early demise of equines is the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma equiperdum, causing dourine. Assessment of farmers’ perception of dourine was studied in selected districts of Arsi-Bale highlands of Oromia region, Southeastern Ethiopia from September 2015 to June, 2016. A standardized questionnaire survey was administered to collect relevant information from a total of 84 farmers about perception of dourine. The findings of this study disclosed that 94.1% of the respondents ranked dourine as an economically important disease of equines. Dourine, locally known as ‘Lappessa’ or ‘Dirressa’ or ‘Dugda Kuta’ which means a disease causing emaciation and paralysis of the hind legs. Since dourine is transmitted by coitus and due to the marked emaciation observed in late stages of the disease, some farmers call it ‘Horse’s AIDS’. The reported dourine suggestive signs were consistent with published reports and farmers strongly associated the occurrence of the disease with sexual contact with sick animals. Clinical signs used in the area for the diagnosis of dourine include paralysis of the hind quarter, in coordination, poor body condition, weakness, foul discharge from reproductive organs in both sexes, ventral odema. About 75% of the respondents also explained that the seasonality of the disease where long rainy periods from June to September to be peak risk months of the year. A total of 30% of the respondents a second peak is observed in the dry seasons of the year (March to May), which was probably associated with relapse of previously infected and recovered cases due to stressful conditions of feed shortage. Good knowledge of farmers’ perceptions on the disease dourine is an important prerequisite for implementing effective control implementation with active participation of animal owners.Keywords: Arsi-Bale highlands; Dourine; Ethiopia; Farmers’ perceptio