Seroprevalence of Sheep and Goat Brucellosis in Arero District of Borana Zone Southern Ethiopia

The cros¬s-sectional study was conducted at four peasants’ associations (PAs) in Arero district of Borana zone, namely Halona, Fuldowa, Silala and Renji. The seroprevallence and potential risk factors of Brucellosis in sheep and goats in study area were determined using serological tests. Serum samples were collected from 238 unvaccinated and apparently healthy sheep and goats. The samples were serologically examined by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) for first screening test and confirmed by Indirect-ELISA. Almost half of samples that screened positive with RBPT became negative after confirmation by an indirect ELISA test. Out of 238 sera extracted from sheep and goat in the study area, 18(7.56%) animals were found to be positive by RBPT screening. Of all serum samples tested positive by indirect ELISA and confirmed by retest, 8(3.7%) animals were found to be positive. By direct ELISA, of 183 sera from caprine, 6(2.5%) animals were positive, 177(74%) animals were negative; 2 (0.84%) of 55 sera from ovine brucellosis were positive. The seroprevalence of sheep and goats in the Arero district did not show significance among peasant associations (χ2 = 2.070, P value=0.558), age groups (χ2 = 0.531), P value=0.392) and between species (χ2 = 0.017, P value=0.897). The disease was prevalent in both female (4, 1.68%) and male (4, 1.7%), but was more prevalent in male (11% within male population) than female (2% within female population), showing a very high significance with p-value at 0.005 and Chi-Square at 7.842. These positive animals may pose a potential risk to both animals and humans in the area. Therefore, attention should be paid to the certification of breeding bucks or rams to reduce the spread of disease in animals and humans.