Authors : Omer Mohammed, Bekele Megersa, Rahmeto Abebe, Mesele Abera, Alemayehu Regassa, Yunus Abdrehman and Solomon Mekuria
Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2009-April 2010 to estimate seroprevalence of Brucella infection in camels and to identify risk factors associated with brucellosis infection in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Dire Dawa city administration. A total number of 573 camels in 88 herds were sampled during study period. Out of these, 264 were females while 309 were male camels. All serum samples were initially screened by the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and confirmation were made using Compliment Fixation Test (CFT). Accordingly, 9 were seropositive out of the 11 RBPT reactors. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in camels was 1.6%. Seroprevalence analysis against associated risk factor showed no significant difference (p>0.05) except reproductive disorder where abortion showed significant difference (p<0.05). In addition, camels that co-exist with small ruminants showed slight statistical difference (p = 0.05). During blood sample collection owners showed that as they have no awareness about zoonotic importance of the disease. The owner drink raw milk and all animal owners did not take care of retained fetal membrane and aborted fetuses. Camel brucellosis was found to be well spread in the study area and the management practices and the tradition of using animal products warrant serious endanger of the society to Brucella infection.
Omer Mohammed, Bekele Megersa, Rahmeto Abebe, Mesele Abera, Alemayehu Regassa, Yunus Abdrehman and Solomon Mekuria, 2011. Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Camels in and Around Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1177-1183.