Prevalence of brucellosis in food animals slaughtered at Damaturu Abattoir, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Serological survey of brucellosis in slaughtered food animals was carried out in 318 cattle, 300 sheep and 400 goats slaughtered in Damaturu, Yobe state in arid zone of north eastern Nigeria, from the month of July to October, 2007. Sera collected from the animals were tested using both Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). The results obtained from both RBPT and SAT were comparable. The prevalence rates of 5.7%, 6.0% and 4.0% with RBPT for cattle, sheep and goat respectively were obtained in the study and were significantly associated (p<0.0001). The infection rates of 6.3 and 5.5%; 0.0 and 6.8% and 5.4 and 17.4% for male and female cattle, sheep and goats respectively were obtained. The results were not statistically associated among male and females of cattle (p=0.7665) and sheep (p=0.1433) respectively. However, the infection
rate was significantly associated in male and female goats examined (p=0.0012). This study has confirmed that brucellosis is still endemic among the slaughtered animals in the study area and the prevalence is on the increase especially among the small
ruminants.