Seroprevalence of Brucella in Small Ruminants, Its Risk Factors, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community in Berbere District of Bale Zone South East Ethiopia

Brucellosis is an important infectious disease responsible for reproductive losses in sexually mature animals and zoonotic importance. A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to November 2019 in Berbere districts with the Objective of Assessing the burden of brucellosis in small ruminants, risk factors knowledge, attitude and practice of communityin study area. A total of 470 sera from 80 flocks were collected (Goat, n=306 and sheep, n=164) by Simple random methods. The sera were tested by using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and seropositive reactors confirmed by Complement Fixation Test (CFT) using serial interpretation. A sample was considered to be positive when both tests results were positive and a herd was considered positive when a single animal within the herd tested positive. Over all prevalence in both species by CFT at individual animal level was 2.97% (2.43% and 3.26%) in goat and sheep respectively. Herd-level prevalence was 17.5%. Individual animal level multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that herd size (OR=3.83, 95% CI: 1.287 - 11.40, P=0.016), age (OR=8.374, 95% CI: 2.786 - 25.17, P=0.000), parity status (OR=8.499, 95% CI: 1.187 - 60.88, P=0.033) and history of retained fetal membranes (OR=12.896, 95% CI: 2.575-64.585, P=0.002) was significantly associated with Brucella infection in small ruminants. In herd level multivariable logistic regression analysis herd size (OR: 11.018, 95%CI: 2.582 -47.023, P=0.001), abortion (OR: 0.102 95%CI: .017 - 0.627, P=0. 014), and retention placenta (OR: 0. 127 95%CI: 0.021 - 0.759, P=0. 024) was also significantly associated Brucella seropositivity (P<0.05). The results of questionnaire survey revealed that the majority of the community do not have sufficient knowledge about brucellosis and they are in risk of acquiring the infection. Most of respondent was consuming row milk, milk by products, handling of aborted fetus and other aborted materials without protective clothes. In conclusion, the present serological test revealed that brucellosis is prevalent among small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, further extensive molecular studies of the isolates and appropriate controlling strategies are required to reduce zoonosis and its economic impact in study area. Awareness creation for animal owner, animal attendant and other stockholder about the disease through extension service on risk of consuming of raw milk / milk by product, handling of aborted fetuses, placenta and also the impact of improper disposing of those material