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Page No. : 60-71

ABSTRACT

Ethiopia s livestock sector contributes 12 percent to national GDP, 33 percent to agricultural GDP, and supports 65 percent of the population. It also accounts for 12–15 percent of export earnings, mainly from live animals, hides, and skins. However, trade bans-especially from the Arabian Peninsula-disrupt exports due to Rift Valley Fever (RVF). It is an acute, arthropod-borne zoonotic disease affecting domestic ruminants. It is caused by a Phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family and occurs seasonally, with outbreaks linked to heavy rainfall that facilitates vector proliferation. Diagnosis in endemic areas relies on epidemiological patterns, clinical signs, and microscopic lesions, with confirmation requiring laboratory testing through virus isolation or immunological assays. The economic consequences of RVF-related trade bans are substantial, particularly for pastoral communities reliant on livestock for subsistence and income. Given the presence of potential vectors in disease-free regions, the risks are further exacerbated by climate change and global trade expansion. Effective control measures, including epidemiological surveillance, pre-export inspections, and vaccination for high-risk groups, are essential to mitigate the disease s impact. This review paper aims to examine Rift Valley fever and its implications for Ethiopia s livestock export market, highlighting the need for improved disease management strategies.

Keywords: Ethiopia, Livestock industry, Phlebovirus, Rift Valley Fever, Viral disease