Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts in Arsi zone and one district in East Shoa zone, Ethiopia, to determine seroprevalence and assess the possible risk factors associated with small ruminant brucellosis. A total of 840 blood samples (409 sheep and 431goats) were collected. All sera samples were screened by modified Rose Bengal Test (mRBT) and all positive reactors were further tested by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) test for confirmation. All 39 (4.6%) mRBT positive samples tested positive in iELISA. The individual animal and herd level seroprevalences of small ruminant brucellosis in the study area were 4.6 and 26%, respectively. Individual animal and herd level seroprevalences were highest in Adami Tulu-Jido Kombolcha district in East Shoa and lowest in Dodota Sire district in Arsi zone but differences were not statistically significant. In univariate logistic regression, statistically significant difference in seropositivity were found between different age groups, pregnancy status and parity number but not between flock size, species and sex. Upon multivariate logistic, regression analysis parity and pregnancy status remained significant. A survey among 80 owners revealed general lack of awareness of the disease and showed that they practiced improper handling, disposal of aborted materials and consumption of raw milk as potential risk behaviours. Hence, the study suggests the need for implementing control measures and raising public awareness on prevention methods of the disease. Key words: Brucellosis, Ethiopia, risk factors, small ruminant, zoonosis.
Highlights
The small ruminant population of Ethiopia is estimated to be nearly 23.33 million goats and 23.62 million sheep playing an important role in the livelihood of resource poor farmers
A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts in Arsi zone and one district in East Shoa zone, Ethiopia, to determine seroprevalence and assess the possible risk factors associated with small ruminant brucellosis
All sera samples were screened by modified Rose Bengal Test and all positive reactors were further tested by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test for confirmation
Summary
The small ruminant population of Ethiopia is estimated to be nearly 23.33 million goats and 23.62 million sheep playing an important role in the livelihood of resource poor farmers. They provide their owners with a vast range of products such as meat, milk, skin, hair, horns and manure for cash. Investment in sheep and goats avoid losses due to high inflation rates that are found in unstable economies of many developing countries like Ethiopia. There is a growing export market for sheep and goat meat in the Middle East Gulf states and some African countries. Brucellosis is one of such diseases that hamper the productivity of small ruminants (Yami and Merkel, 2008; Central Statistical Agency, 2012)
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