Cattle Brucellosis in Ethiopia: Prevalence and Risks
Author Information
Author(s): Megersa Bekele, Biffa Demelash, Niguse Fekadu, Rufael Tesfaye, Asmare Kassahun, Skjerve Eystein
Primary Institution: Hawassa University
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of cattle brucellosis in traditional livestock husbandry practices in Southern and Eastern Ethiopia?
Conclusion
Bovine brucellosis is prevalent in cattle herds in Southern and Eastern Ethiopia, especially in pastoral systems.
Supporting Evidence
- 3.5% of tested cattle had antibodies against Brucella species.
- 26.1% of herds tested positive for Brucella.
- Seroprevalence was higher in pastoral systems compared to mixed farming.
Takeaway
This study found that many cows in Ethiopia are sick with brucellosis, which can make people sick too, especially if they drink raw milk.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1623 cattle sera tested using the rose Bengal test and complement fixation test.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to convenience sampling in pastoral systems.
Limitations
The study may not represent all regions of Ethiopia due to the focus on specific zones.
Participant Demographics
Cattle from various herds in eight administrative zones of Southern and Eastern Ethiopia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 2.4, 4.5%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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