Participatory appraisal was applied to determine the major cattle diseases and investigate the
epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in South Omo pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock
production system. Furthermore, assessment of associated risk factors in particular concern to local
production system was conducted by participatory appraisal. The participatory methods used were
clinical observation, matrix ranking and scoring, proportional piling and seasonal calendar. The result
of matrix ranking and scoring showed that hemorrhagic septicemia, contagious bovine pleuro
pneumonia (CBPP), trypanosomosis, FMD, black leg and anthrax were the major diseases of cattle in
South Omo zone. The finding of seasonal calendar indicated that incidence of FMD was found to be
high during the dry season than cold dry season. The lowest incidence was reported during the rainy
season. Similarly, contact of herds with wild animals increased during dry season than rainy season.
Based on this finding participatory epidemiology was found to be an important approach in veterinary
investigations and it can also be used besides to conventional approaches.