Public health significance, seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis in selected dairy farms of North Shewa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective

Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes economic crises in dairy cattle production and poses public health impact. A cross sectional study was conducted between November 2021 to April 2022 to estimate the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis, identify associated risk factors with bovine brucellosis and assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of dairy cattle owners on brucellosis.

Methods

A total of 426 blood samples of dairy cattle were screened with Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive samples were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). Risk factors associated with Brucella seropositivity and knowledge of respondents were assessed and data were analyzed using R software.

Results

The overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis was 0.47 % (95 % CI: −0.182%-1.121%) and 4.43 % (95 % CI: −1.77 % - 10.47 %) at individual and herd level respectively. Analysis of risk factors using logistic regression indicated buying stock replacement (OR = 33.83, p = 0.000301), abortion history (OR = 5.90, 0.00579) and bull mating service (OR = 6.43, p = 0.01338) were found to be significantly associated with the seropositivity of Brucella infection in the dairy cattle.

Conclusion

The presence of serological reactors with significant risk factors indicates previous infection of brucellosis in the cattle population. Hence, culling of Brucella antibody reactor cows, stock replacement through Brucella testing and improving community awareness are recommended.