This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, determine the distribution, and identify the epidemiological risk factors of EHV-1/-4 infections in selected districts of Northwest Amhara Region. 460 serum samples were collected from equines using multistage cluster sampling technique, and a competitive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was performed. Various risk factors for the occurrence of EHV-1/-4 were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3.1. 65.9% (303) equids were tested positive for antibodies against EHV-1/-4. Based on district, the highest prevalence was recorded in Wogera (86.1%), while the lowest was in Debark (47.4%). There was a significant difference (p <0.05; 95% CI: 1.1067993–3.682843) in the prevalence of EHV-1/-4 among species and donkeys are 2.019 times more likely to get an EHV infection than horses. The prevalence of EHV-1/-4 was highest in equids with the age of 3–8 years and lowest in < 3 years, and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.05; 95% CI: 1.9812042–6.771820). Statistically significant variation (p <0.05; 95% CI: 1.1173822–2.684013) was also observed between sex of equids in which females had 1.73 times higher chance to get EHV infection than males. Higher prevalence was found in lactating equids (81.6%), followed by pregnant equids (74.6%), and dry equids (66.4%). Generally, this study indicated a high and wide distribution of EHV-1/-4 infection in the study area, which needs due attention. Devising strategies to prevent and minimize the spread and occurrence of the infection is crucial.

中文翻译：

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埃塞俄比亚阿姆哈拉西北部部分地区马疱疹病毒 1/-4 型血清阳性率及相关危险因素

本研究旨在估计西北阿姆哈拉地区选定地区 EHV-1/-4 感染的患病率、确定分布并确定流行病学危险因素。使用多级整群采样技术从马身上收集了 460 份血清样本，并进行了竞争性酶联免疫吸附测定 (cELISA)。考虑了发生 EHV-1/-4 的各种危险因素。使用R版本4.3.1进行统计分析。 65.9% (303) 马科动物的 EHV-1/-4 抗体检测呈阳性。按地区划分，沃格拉 (Wogera) 的患病率最高 (86.1%)，而德巴克 (Debark) 的患病率最低 (47.4%)。不同物种间 EHV-1/-4 的流行率存在显着差异（p <0.05；95% CI：1.1067993–3.682843），驴感染 EHV 的可能性是马的 2.019 倍。 EHV-1/-4的患病率在3~8岁马科动物中最高，3岁以下最低，差异有统计学意义（p <0.05；95% CI：1.9812042~6.771820）。马科动物的性别之间也观察到统计学上的显着差异（p <0.05；95% CI：1.1173822–2.684013），其中雌性感染 EHV 的几率是雄性的 1.73 倍。哺乳马科动物的患病率较高（81.6%），其次是怀孕马科动物（74.6%）和干马马科动物（66.4%）。总体而言，本研究表明研究区EHV-1/-4感染分布较高且广泛，需要引起足够重视。制定预防和尽量减少感染传播和发生的策略至关重要。