Study on Camel and Human Brucellosis in Fentale District, East Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence of camel and human brucellosis and to assess the association between risk factors and seroprevalence in Fentale Districts of East Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State from September 2009 to April 2010. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used. In the study 768 camel and 250 human sera were screened for Brucella antibodies using rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). RBPT positive sera were further tested using complement fixation test (CFT) as per OIE recommendation. Moreover, information on individual animal and herd-level risk factors was gathered using pre tested questionnaires. Based on CFT results, the overall individual animal sero-prevalence was 98.6% (among RBPT positives, 70/71). The herd-level sero-prevalence was 36.5% (70/192) and the within-herd sero-prevalence varied from negative animals to at least one positive reactor. The results of binary logistic regression analysis revealed that seropositivity was higher in Dhebiti followed by Kenifa, Ilaala and Saraweba; and sex ways males were more infected than females. However, no statistically significant difference was observed (p=0.872) between sex. The results also indicated that sero-prevalence and seropositivity increase with increment of age and herd size, respectively. In addition herding experience did also affect the status of seroprevalence among the respective categories (p<0.05); but reproductive status did not significantly affect the status of seroprevalence (p>0.05). History of abortion, fetal membrane retention and stillbirth was found to be significantly (p=0.000, p=0.004 and p=0.000) associated with brucellosis. Watering points /except wet season/ and culling methods of camel management and husbandry related factors were not significantly associated with seropositivity to brucellosis. Out of 250 persons (male and female) tested 15 were RBPT positives and the RBPT positives were tested using CFT accordingly all of them were seropositive, the positive reactor being herdsmen. There was a high risk of acquiring the infection during removal of retained fetal membranes (p=0.000) and in those who were both in contact with animals and drank raw milk (p=0.001). In conclusion the study showed that camel and human brucellosis was prevalent in the study area and appropriate control measures need to be introduced to alleviate the disease problem in the area. Keywords: Brucellosis, CFT, Dromedary Camel, Ethiopia, Fentale, Human, Prevalence, Risk, Factors, RBP