Research Note: Molecular surveillance of Avian Paramyxovirus type-1 in nonvaccinated village chickens in Central Rift Valley of Oromia, Ethiopia.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a major infectious disease of poultry caused by a virulent strain of Avian Paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1). It is a major threat to the poultry industry in many countries of the world including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to conduct molecular surveillance of ND Virus and identify potential risk factors for nonvaccinated village chicken in Central Rift Valley of Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 84 pooled swab samples, each made from pools of 5 swabs for analysis, from cloacal and tracheal sites of chickens in the Central Rift Valley were collected, and RNA was extracted to carry out real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 84 pooled swab samples tested for M-gene, 13 (15.48%) samples were found positive for APMV-1. The prevalence of ND in males was found to be 16.10% and that in females was 14.67%. Although the overall ND prevalence was 15.48% (13/84), the highest prevalence was recorded in Adama, 42.86% (6/14), and no positive case was observed in Bote and Bishoftu (P < 0.05), while intermediate prevalence was obtained from Batu, Arsi-negele, and Shashemene (P > 0.05). In general, the present study provides important information on the epidemiology of ND based on M-gene assay in Central Rift Valley of Oromia, Ethiopia, and highlights the importance of implementing molecular surveillances practice in live poultry markets and village chickens.