Prevalence and Risk Factor of Brucellosis in Dromedaries in Selected Pastoral Districts of Afar, Northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 813 camels from 63 herds in selected Afar pastoral areas from May 2012 to February 2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with camel brucellosis. Serum sample were collected and screened for brucellosis using Rose Bengal Plate Test followed by Complement Fixation Test of positive samples for confirmation. The herd level seroprevalence was 17.46% and varied significantly among different herd sizes (χ2=8.84; P<0.05) and contact with small ruminants (χ2=3.91; P<0.05). Camel herds in contact with small ruminants were 6.64 times (OR=6.64; 95% CI: 1.30-33.88) more at risk for brucellosis infection than those herds which had no contact with small ruminants. Animal level seroprevalence was 2.09% and varied significantly among different herd size (χ2=8.079; P= 0.018). The prevalence of brucellosis was significantly higher in camels with history of abortion (6.67%) (χ2=10.534; P= 0.032). Sex, age, body condition, physiological status and parity were insignificantly associated (P>0.05) with the prevalence of brucellosis. The present study suggests that Brucella infection is the likely cause of abortion in camel and small ruminants were the probable source of Brucella infection for camels in the study. On the other hand, based on the observation of the author, none of the camel herdsmen knew the disease and the prevailing habit of consumption of raw camel milk and the man-animal close contact in Afar pastoral area demonstrate the potential role of brucellosis as a zoonosis in the area. Therefore, improving management practices, public awareness, economic and zoonotic importance of the disease can assist disease prevention. Keywords: Afar pastoral, Brucellosis, Camels, Prevalence, Risk factors, zoonosi