Enhancement of the Development Process by Controlling Bovine Brucellosis in Khartoum State-Sudan

Abstract

Brucellosis is one of the most common diseases among animals especially cattle, it can attack human as well. Khartoum State is confirmed to be endemic with bovine brucellosis yet, there is no formal strategy adopted to control the disease. The current study aims at developing a control strategy for bovine brucellosis in Khartoum State. The study was based on prevalence rate of 25.1% obtained by the research project entitled: Compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures by Formulating a Long Term Animal Brucellosis Control Strategy in Khartoum State in 2012. The evolution of the disease without control was projected until the year 2034 at which all mature females are expected to be infected. Six different strategies were proposed, these were: whole herd vaccination every two years, whole herd vaccination every six years, vaccination of female calves once, vaccination of female calves every two years, vaccination of female calves every six years and mature females vaccination twice every six years together with annual calf hood vaccination. The six strategies were simulated until 2034 and their technical and financial feasibilities were compared, technically by comparing the prevalence rates in 2034 and financially by comparing the net benefit and the benefit – cost ratio of the technically feasible strategies. Also the cost-effectiveness criterion was used. Microsoft excel programme was used in the analysis. The study revealed that all the proposed strategies except the strategy of vaccination of female calves once are technically feasible. The cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses indicated that the strategy of mature females vaccination twice every six years together with annual calf hood vaccination is the most feasible and cost effective one. The prevalence rate in this strategy will drop to 4.3%in 2034, the net benefit is SDG 1,115,087,260, the benefit -cost ratio is3.48 and it needs SDG 21,633,069.42 to drop the prevalence by 1%.The impact of the most feasible strategy on the development wasexpressed in form ofmortality 836cows averted, 335,641,265litermilk saved,addition to calves harvest by 102,836 calves, averting repeat breeding of 98,680 cows and saving ofSDG 4,460,349.04the cost veterinary intervention. Above all the human health will benefit from controlling this zoonotic disease. The study recommended adoption the strategy of mature females vaccination twice every six years together with annual calf hood vaccination to control bovine brucellosis in Khartoum State.