Prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle, Goat and Camel (Camelus dromedarius) during 2013-2018, Bahri Locality, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

This is a retrospective study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of brucellosis among animals (sheep, goat, cattle, and camels) attending the Teaching Veterinary Hospital (TVH), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri during the period 2013-2018. A total of 5332 blood samples (73, sheep, 3586, goat, 930, cattle, and 743 camels) were collected from the jugular vein of each animal and serum was harvested and examined for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPR) . Results obtained indicated that, there were no positive case in the samples collected from sheep, while 525 (9.84%) positive cases were reported including cattle 203(38.67%), goats 222(42.29%) and camels 100(19.04%).The number of positive cases was significantly (p˂0.05) lower in cattle in 2016 and higher in goats and camels in 2018 and 2015 respectively. Cattle reported a significantly (p˂0.05) higher incidence in 2014 and 2015. During 2016, 2017 and 2018 goats had the significantly (p˂0.05) higher incidence of brucellosis. In cattle, the incidence of brucellosis showed seasonal fluctuations, summer season showed a significantly (p˂0.01) higher values in 2014; while they were significantly (p˂0.05) higher during winter season of 2015, 2016 and 2017 and lower in 2018. In goats, the incidence of brucellosis was significantly higher in 2018 during winter and summer (p˂0.05) and autumn (p˂0.01).In camels, generally the incidence was significantly (p˂0.05) higher in winter compared to other seasons. It is concluded that brucellosis is one of the greatest health problems amongst cattle, goats and camels in Bahri locality and winter is the season where brucella is the most common. It is recommended that, a comprehensive brucellosis survey program should be established with advanced diagnostic techniques accompanied with a very restrict government-sponsored policy of vaccination, depopulation and compensation. Epidemiological studies are also needed amongst herders and consumers of animal’s products.