Abstract:
Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that leads to significant economic losses and has
a major effect on public health. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2023
up to October 2024 to determine the sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis and its public
health significance in four peasant associations (PAs) of Karat zuria district of Konso Zone,
southern Ethiopia. A total of 362 blood samples were collected for serological study. The
collected serum was screened by the Rose-Bengal-Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmed by
complement fixation test (CFT). Out of 362 bovine sera tested using the RBPT, 18 samples
(4.97%; CI: 2.7% – 7.2%) were initially positive. Confirmation with the CFT revealed that
11 samples (3.03%; CI: 1.2% – 4.7%) showed Brucella antibodies. Therefore, the overall
prevalence of bovine brucellosis was determined to be 3.03%. Among assessed risk factors,
only peasant associations (P=0.02), herd size (p=0.03) and the history of retained fetal
membrane (P=0.009) had statistically significant associations. The results of the
questionnaire survey revealed that the majority (153/172; 89%) of respondents were
unaware of bovine brucellosis, and its risk factors. 95.3% (164/172) have the habit of
consuming raw milk and 99.4% (171/172) of respondents were assisting parturition without
gloves which put them at high risk of acquiring the infection. Regarding the attitude of cattle
owners, 45.9% (79/172) of respondents perceive themselves to be at high risk of contracting
brucellosis. But all respondents (100%) expressed a desire for more information about the
disease which reflects a general need for better education. The current study detected
antibodies for bovine brucellosis in the study area. Moreover, the questionnaire revealed that
the attitude score is positive towards bovine brucellosis, but the knowledge is poor, causing
many respondents to engage in risky practices, which might increase the risk of pathogen
transmission. Hence, avoiding raw milk consumption, preventing animal interaction,
awareness creation, should be implemented to reduce risk of infection in cattle and
consequently, in humans in the study area.
