SEROPREVLANCE, RISK FACTORS AND ECONOMIC EFFECT OF BRUCELLOSIS IN JEBEL AULIA

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors and economic effect of brucellosis in rumminants’ population in Jebel Aulia locality, Khartoum State. A total of 393 serum samples were collected from 53 herds, out of which 207 were bovine, 84 ovine, 82 caprine and 20 camels. The serum samples were screened for presence of brucella antibodies using RBPT and the positive samples were confirmed by C-ELISA test. The results pointed out that, prevalence of brucellosis among herds/flocks of cattle, camel, sheep and goats were 76% (22/29), 20% (1/5), 13% (1/8) and18% (2/11) respectively. The individual animal prevalence were 19% (39/207), 5% (1/20), 1 % (1/84) and 4 %( 3/82) respectively. A survey using questionnaire was conducted to collect the required epidemiological data. The risk factors were investigated using logistic regression analysis. The test revealed that only abortion cases (OR.001, CI.00-.247, p-value.014) and source of water (OR1.51, CI 2.949-7.745E5, p-value.021) were significant (P<0.05) risk factors. The estimation of loss in milk production due to bovine brucellosis was found to be SDG39,210 (US$8,524), loss due to abortion was SDG 12,600 (US$ 2,739 ) and finally loss due to infertility problem was SDG 3,120 (US$ 678 ) .The total loss in the sample was SDG 55,530 (US$ 12,072) .The total loss in the herd sampled investigated was SDG 198,245 (US$43,097). And finally the financial loss due to brucellosis in the whole locality was SDG 3,402,620 (US$739,700). This study provides necessary information about prevalence and risk factor of the disease in the study area which may help the decision makers in setting the priority of disease control.