Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2011 to March 2012 to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for seropositivity of bovine brucellosis at Wollega University Horro-Guduru Animal Breeding and Research Center (WUHGABRC) in Horro-GuduruWollega Oromia Regional State. The study population comprised local (Horro) and cross (Horro-Jersy) breed. A total of 415 blood sample were collected from cattle above 1 year of age and were screened for brucella antibodies by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive reactors were further tested by Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Out of 415 sera 4 (1%) were positive using RBPT. The positive sera were further confirmed using CFT in which 2 (0.5%) were positive. All positive sera were from female cattle. The results of current study revealed that seropositivity to bovine brucellosis was significantly higher in pregnant animals than non- pregnant (p<0.05). In contrast there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis between breeds, among different age groups and between sexes of study animals. Even though the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the current study is low, it shouldn’t be ignored as nonexistent disease in the area where it may continue to become hazard to livestock industry and public consuming raw products of animal origin. Thus all peoples in general and high risk groups in particular need to be aware of zoonotic as well as economic importance of the disease, so as to adopt strategic control measures in order to reduce associated reproductive wastage and public health risk.

References

1. Anonymous, B. (2006): Brucellosis back ground prepared by Amer Vet Assoc, 44: 216-224.
2. Arimi,S. and Mangen,M. (2002): Brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Epidemiology, control and impact. Veterinary Microbiology, 90:111-132.
3. Asfaw, Y., Molla., B., Zessin ,K. and Tegegn, A. (1998): Across sectional study on bovine         brucellosis and test performance in intra and peri-urban dairy production system in and around Addis Abeba. Bull Animhlth and prod Africa, 46: 217-224.  
4. Bekele, A., Molaa, B., Asfaw, Y. and Yigezu, T. (2000): Bovine brucellosis in ranches and farms          in south eastern Ethiopia. Bull.Anim. Hlth. Prodn. Afr.48: 13-17.
5. Berchovich, Z. (1998): The use of tests for diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle, 8^th ed. Mosby,        Elsevier, Pp 286-289.
6. Birhanu, A. (2002): Animal health and poverty Reduction Strategies in proceeding of the 16^th    Annual Conference of the Ethiopian veterinary association (EVA) held at Ghion Hotel           Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, The president of Ethiopian Veterinary Assciation.
7. Brew, S.D., Perret, L.L., Stack, J.J., Macmillan, A. P. and Staunton, N.J. (1999): Human             exposure to brucella recovered from a sea mammal, vet rec. 24: 483-490.
8. Crowford, R. p., Adams, L.G. and Williams, I.D. (1990): Relationship of fetal age at exposure of           pregnant heifers and Brucellaabourtus, Am. J. Vet.Res. 48: 755-782.
9. CSA. (2011): The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Central Statistics Agency, Ethiopia.
10. Desalegn, F.(2008): Seroprevalence study of bovine brucellosis in Asella Gevermental dairy      farm,    Asella, Ethiopia, DVM thesis, Jimma university college of agriculture and veterinary  medicine Jimma Ethiopia.