A seroprevalence study of ovine and caprine brucellosis in three main regions of Somaliland (Northern Somalia)

Abstract

A random survey to study the seroprevalence of ovine and caprine brucellosis was carried out between July 2008 and January 2009 in three main districts of arid and semiarid rearing regions of Somaliland. A total of 1938 sheep, and 1344 goats’ blood sera were randomly collected from 42 herd/flock of accessible unvaccinated sheep and goats to be analyzed. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) were used to screen all serum samples. At herd level, for sheep, a total 42 herd/flocks were examined, out of which, 2 (4.8%) were seronegative while 40 (95.2%) were seropositive by I-ELISA, 10 (23.8%) were seronegative and 32 (76.2%) seropositive by RBPT. At herd level, for goats, a total 42 herd/flocks were examined, out of which, 6 (14.3%) were seronegative while 36 (85.7%) were seropositive by I-ELISA, 11 (26.2%) were seronegative and 32 (73.8%) seropositive by RBPT. A non significant seroprevalence differences were found at herd level between the three studied districts. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of brucellosis between the different studied districts. This study throws a strong light on that sheep and goats should be included in a national program for control and eradication of brucellosis in Somaliland. Further epidemiological studies and identification of the Brucella biotypes involved is recommended.