Sero-epidemiological survey of bovine brucellosis and reproductive health problems in North Gondar zone milkshed areas, north western Ethiopia

Abstract

A sero-epidemiological survey of bovine brucellosis in two selected was conducted from November 2007 to April 2008 in North Gondar Zone. Sera from 780 cattle (571) local and (209) cross breed were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and RBPT positive reactors were further confirmed by Complement Fixation Test. Out of 780 cattle tested 10 (1.28%) were positive to RBPT and 4(0.5%) CFT. The over all prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the study area was found to be (0.5%). A total of 660 dairy cows were examined; 209 cows from semi-intensive management system farms and 451 from extensive management system cows to investigate the prevalence of abortion and retained fetal membranes. A relatively higher prevalence of abortion was recorded in semi-intensive management system cows (4.8%) than extensive management system cows (3.99%). The differences in prevalence was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Higher prevalence of retained fetal membrane was found in semi-intensive management system cows (4.8%) than extensive management system cows (1.33%). This difference in prevalence was statistically significant (p<0.05). In results, the high prevalence of abortion and fetal membrane retention together with this very low prevalence of bovine brucellosis may suggest that the presence of other diseases that call attention for further studying in an area.

Keywords: Survey, bovine brucellosis, abortion, retained fetal membranes, North Gondar