Seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants, its risk factors, knowledge, attitude and practice of owners in Berbere district of Bale Zone southeast Ethiopia

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Miftha Muhidin
Hailu Degafu
Mukarim Abdurahaman

Abstract

Brucellosis is an important infectious disease causes significant reproductive losses in sexually mature animals and zoonotic importance. A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to November 2019 in Berbere districts with the objectives of determining seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis, identifying potential risk factors for small ruminant brucellosis and assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices of owners about brucellosis in Barber district of Bale zone South-Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 470 sera from 80 flocks were collected (Goat, n=306, Sheep, n=164) and screened for evidence of brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) with positive results confirmed by Complement Fixation Test (CFT). To this effect, the overall seroprevalence in both species found to be 2.97% (2.43% goats and 3.26% sheep), whereas 17.5% prevalence at flock level. Flock size, age, parity and history of retained fetal membrane found to be significantly associated with Brucella seropositivity in small ruminants (P<0.05). While at flock level flock size, abortion and retention placenta found also to be significantly associated with Brucella seropositivity (P<0.05). As to the results of questionnaire survey, the majority of the communities do not have sufficient knowledge about brucellosis and they are in risk of acquiring the infection. Most of respondent was consuming raw milk, milk by products, poor handling of aborted fetus and other aborted materials without protective clothes. In conclusion, brucellosis is moderately prevalent among small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, awareness creation for animal owners, amongst pastoralist and other stockholders about the disease through collaborative roles (One health) of both veterinary and public health professionals and conducting further research on the isolation and molecular characterization of circulating Brucella species in livestock in study areas. 

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How to Cite
Muhidin, M., Degafu, H., & Abdurahaman, M. (2021). Seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants, its risk factors, knowledge, attitude and practice of owners in Berbere district of Bale Zone southeast Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 12(2), 10 - 23. Retrieved from https://journals.ju.edu.et/index.php/ejast/article/view/3775
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Articles
Author Biographies

Miftha Muhidin, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box, 307,

Jimma Ethiopia

Hailu Degafu, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box, 307,

Jimma Ethiopia

Mukarim Abdurahaman, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box, 307,

Jimma Ethiopia