Abstract

SERO-PREVALENCE OF BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS IN AND AROUND CHENCHA DISTRICT, GOMOGOFA ZONE, SOUTH EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Y. Meles and L. Kibeb*

Abstract

Brucellosis is an infectious bacterial zoonotic disease caused by member of the genus Brucella. The disease affects both animals and human beings resulting in a serious economic loss in animal production sector and deterioration of public health. Cattle brucellosis has significant economic and zoonotic implication for the rural communities in Ethiopia in consequence of their traditional life styles, feeding habits and disease patterns. Hence, knowledge of brucellosis occurrence in traditional livestock husbandry practice has considerable importance in reducing the economic and public health impacts of the disease. A cross sectional study was conducted with objective of determining prevalence and associated risk factors for bovine brucellosis occurrence from November 2009 to March 2010 at Chencha district of Gamo Gofa zone. During the survey a total of 384 serum samples were collected from cattle 2-12 years age and were tested for the presence of brucell antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). In this study an overall seroprevalence of 4 (1.04%) were positive using RBPT recorded in the study area. Among the risk factors, Abortion and Retain Fetal membrane (RFM), were found significantly associated with serop-ositivity (p

Keywords: Abortion, Bovine, Brucellosis, Chencha, Ethiopia, Gamo Gofa, Seroprevalence.