Seroprevalence of Camel Brucellosis in Yabello District of Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia - Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried from November 2014 to April 2015 to estimate the seroprevalence and assess associated risk factors of camel (Camelus dromedarius) brucellosis in Yabello district of Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to select pastoral associations and camel herds and a questionnaire survey was administered to 46 willing respondents whose camels were included in the sample unit. The sera obtained were initially screened with Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and those samples found positive by RBPT were further tested by Complement Fixation Test (CFT) for confirmation. Out of 384 sera 14 (3.6%) were positive using RBPT and 12 (3.1%, 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.9%) were positive using CFT. The study showed there was statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between age groups and those with history of abortion. However, no statistical significant difference (P>0.05) was observed among the pastoral associations, contact with other ruminant, parity, herd size and sexes of animals.The questionnaire survey showed that all owners have no awareness about zoonotic importance of the disease, drink raw milk and did not take care of retained fetal membranes and aborted fetuses. The current level of seroprevalence is enough to be a potential hazard for public health in the study area; therefore, public education about zoonotic importance of brucellosis, controlling the risk factors, proper hygienic practices and team work between veterinary and health personnel should be improved.