Miessa Banata*, Yehualashet Behailu, Solomon Mekuria, Kassaye Aragaw
Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic illnesses in the world. A close human-animal contact and tradition of raw animal product consumption make zoonosis among the major public health hazards, with particular implication to pastoral area such as West Guji zone. Lack of sufficient awareness regarding the disease in the area is another considerable issue. A cross sectional study was conducted with the objectives of estimating seroprevalence of small ruminants’ brucellosis, assessing associated risk factors and understanding the community awareness towards the disease. Systematic sampling methods were used to select the study animals. Accordingly, 324 small ruminants (132 sheep and 192 goats) and 52 human sera samples were collected. These samples were first screened by Rose Bengal Plate Taste (RBPT) and then positive ones were finally confirmed by I-ELISA. Out of which 34 small ruminants and 13 human samples were positive using RBPT of these 23 ruminants and 10 human samples were confirmed using I-ELISA. An overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 7.1% and 19.2% in small ruminants and humans respectively. Univariable logistic regression showed that risk factors such as the sex, abortion history, age group, flock size, management, BCS, and parity were significantly associated (p<0.05) with increased seropositivity in small ruminants. Whereas in multi variables logistic regression age group, abortion history, flock size, BCS and parity showed significant difference. Adult age, animal with abortion history, large flock size, poor body condition and multiparous animals were more likely infected than their respective counterparts. Seroprevalence in humans was high in adult, females and those with problem of sanitation. So, these results provided evidence of the importance of brucellosis in humans and small ruminants in the study area. Overall, the existence of brucellosis, the community's daily practice of uncontrolled movement of animals, and the livelihood nature of pastoralists suggest the need for public health education on the zoonotic importance of brucellosis continuously in the study area.
Published Date: 2025-01-13; Received Date: 2024-01-09
