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Brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle of eastern Ethiopia

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Abstract

Knowing the status of Bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors is a crucial step in formulating evidence based control scheme. In this study, a total of 967 dairy cows from 307 dairy farms in eastern Ethiopia were serologically tested for Brucella antibodies. The screening was done first using RBPT and positive samples were subsequently subjected to CFT for confirmation. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from 307 dairy cattle owners or attendants to assess their awareness and routine practice. The data were run using univariable logistic regression analysis using STATA version 11.0 for Windows. Accordingly, herd and individual animal seroprevalence were found to be 6.8% (95% CI = 4.28–10.28) and 1.3% (95% CI = 0.72–2.29), respectively. The prevalence of sero-reactors among local breeds was observed to be higher compared to cross breed (p < 0.05). Herd level analysis of the risk factors indicated that in farms with large herd size (>20 animals), the odds ratio (OR) = 9.13, p = 0.00, CI = 3.01–27.69 of having brucellosis was 9.13 times higher than smaller size herds (<20 animals). Intensively managed herds had shown the highest seroprevalence (20.8%) than extensive (6.7%) and semi-intensive (4.2%). Experience of dairy handlers about the disease that cause abortion in late pregnancy was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with the occurrence of brucellosis in the herds. However, about 91% of the dairy cattle owners/attendants lack awareness about disease(s) that causes abortion in late pregnancy. Similarly risk of having brucellosis in those herds experiencing abortion was 6.3 times higher (OR = 6.3, p < 0.001, CI = 2.50–15.92). This study identified some of the handling practices for aborted and retained fetal materials to be risky. Therefore, the study highlights the need of comprehensive brucellosis surveillance in animal and human and institutions of public education and on farm biosafety measures in shaping proper disease control scheme.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Haramaya University for the fund given as a “Young Faculty Research Grant.” Especially, we would like to thank Dr. Mengistu Urge for his polite facility support. We also thank the dairy cattle owners who gave us all their unreserved support. We would like to thank Mr. Jelalu Kemal and Sissay Alemu for their support during sample processing. We would like to thank staff members of Dire Dawa, Regional veterinary laboratory, especially Mrs. Maria Sella’s support and motivation to help in laboratory analysis is very much appreciated and exemplary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

    Yitagele Terefe, Sisay Girma & Negesse Mekonnen

  2. School of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, P.O. Box- 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Biruhtesfa Asrade

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  1. Yitagele Terefe
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  2. Sisay Girma
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  3. Negesse Mekonnen
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  4. Biruhtesfa Asrade
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Correspondence to Negesse Mekonnen.

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Statement of animal care

This study involved a questionnaire-based survey of farmers as well as blood sampling from their animals. The study protocol was assessed and approved by Haramaya University, research and extension office. Participants provided their verbal informed consent for animal blood sampling as well as for the related survey questions. Collection of blood samples was carried out by veterinarians adhering to the regulations and guidelines on animal husbandry and welfare.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Terefe, Y., Girma, S., Mekonnen, N. et al. Brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle of eastern Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 49, 599–606 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1242-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1242-7

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