SERO-PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

SERO-PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

This study was designed to determine the sero-epidemiological status of small ruminant brucellosis in Bauchi state, Nigeria. A total of 739 small ruminants comprising of 324 and 415 sheep and goats respectively from the three Senatorial Zones of the State were used for this study. Blood samples were collected from small ruminants slaughtered in the abattoirs and flocks of sheep and goats in the study area. Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) was used to screen all the sera obtained from the animals and Competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) was used to confirm the RBPT positive sera. Out of 324 sheep sampled, 114 (35.2%) and 77 (23.8%) were positive for Brucella infection by RBPT and cELISA, respectively. Similarly out of 415 goat sampled, 98 (23.6%) and 56 (13.5%) were positive by RBPT and cELISA respectively. In sheep, the highest prevalence of brucellosis using cELISA were found in Dass and Darazo LGAs with (37.2%) and (20.0%) being positive, respectively, while the lowest prevalence were found in Ningi and Gamawa LGAs with (16.0%) and (19.4%) being positive, respectively. However, in goats, the highest prevalence of brucellosis using cELISA test were recorded in Katagum LGA (25.5%) and Darazo LGA (22.6%) while the lowest prevalence were in Gamawa LGA (3.5%) and Ningi 4 samples (8.3%) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between brucellosis and sex of the small ruminants. Questionnaires administered revealed low awareness of brucellosis in the study area especially among those age groups that are < 18 and those with Islamic or primary educational status, while the mode of transmission and how to protect against the disease were also not satisfactorily understood by the respondents. From this study, it was concluded that brucellosis among viii small ruminants may be endemic and the level of awareness on its zoonotic importance and attitude of farmers towards management of animals in Bauchi state, Nigeria need to be improved. There is need to intensify campaigns on brucellosis especially on route of transmission and preventive measures among the farmers. The Government needs to outline strategies on how to employ the use of vaccine in prevention and culling of infected animals to ensure total eradication in the state, which can be achieved by adequate compensation to farmers by the government.

SERO-PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

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