Abstract
Sero-epidemiological studies of brucellosis in the Afar Region showed that the disease is prevalent in livestock. However, there is little information regarding the pastoral community members’ awareness about brucellosis as a cause of abortion in animals and its zoonotic importance. In this study, we assessed knowledge and perception of pastoral community members about brucellosis as a cause of abortion in animals and its zoonotic importance in Amibara district, Afar Region, Ethiopia. Between October and December 2016, a total of 475 study participants (age range 18–80 years, mean age 35.9 years) were interviewed about abortion in their animals, its causes, and diseases that can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw milk. Almost all (97.7%) of the study participants reported that abortion in animals, especially in goats, is a major problem in the area, and they mentioned that disease (44.6%), drought (58.4%) and fly bites (29.5%) as the main causes of abortion. The study participantsalso thought that malaria (42.9%) and bovine tuberculosis (19.3%) can be transmitted to humans through consuming raw milk. Five respondents (4.2%) mentioned brucellosis (locally known as “hahayita”) as a disease that can be transmitted through frequent consumption of raw milk. The majority (91.9%) mentioned malaria as a cause of febrile illness in humans and 16 (4.4%) participants mentioned brucellosis as a cause of febrile illness. Some participants also mentioned brucellosis as a cause of joint swelling (hygroma) in cattle. In conclusion, the pastoral community members in the present study area lack clear understanding about brucellosis as one of the diseases that cause abortion in their animals and its zoonotic importance. There is a need to create awareness about the zoonotic and animal health importance of brucellosis through various means such as community health extension/veterinary workers and community leaders.
Highlights
Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease in many developing countries, which poses a significant health problem in both humans and animals
Brucellosis is characterized by different clinical manifestations including fever, back pain, chills, headache, weight loss, muscle and joint pains, gastrointestinal complications, night sweats and loss of appetite that is difficult to distinguish clinically from other febrile illness such as typhoid fever and malaria [1, 7]
A majority (97.7%) of the study participants reported that abortion in animals is a major problem in the area
Summary
Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease in many developing countries, which poses a significant health problem in both humans and animals. Humans acquire Brucella infection through consumption of raw milk, raw meat, by direct contact with infected animals’ uterine discharge, tissue or by inhaling airborne bacteria [1]. It causes a serious and debilitating disease in humans [2, 3]. In a country like Ethiopia where laboratory based effective diagnosis is not available, health professionals may misdiagnose brucellosis as other disease or the diagnosis may not be even considered which causes delay in providing appropriate treatment
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