SEROPREVALENCE OF BRUCELLA INFECTION IN HUMANS, BOVINE AND OVINE IN WARDS OF TAL DISTRICT, PANKSHIN LGA, PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A serological study was conducted to determine the percentage seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans, bovine and ovine among different farms of two wards in Tal district, Pankshin Local Government area of Plateau state. Blood samples were collected from 43 humans, 173 bovine and 192 ovine, given a total 408 samples. Samples were screened for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). Results showed the percentage seroprevalence values of 0% in humans, 4.6% in bovine and 6.8% in ovine. However, percentage seroprevalence in bovine and ovine brucellosis was higher in Tal B ward than Tal A ward and higher in females than males respectively. In consideration of age significance on brucellosis, seroprevalence of bovine was higher (4.7%) among the age group 6-12 months. In ovine, results showed a higher percentage seroprevalence in age group 6-36 months (7.4%) as compared to 6.1% in age group > 36 months. Similarly, no statistical significant association between species, sex, age and occurrence of B. brucellosis at P>0.05. The absence of brucellosis in humans in both wards of  Tal may not indicate an apparently brucellosis free status of the residents of the area due to the presence of bovine and ovine brucellosis in the study area which could pose a significant public health risk to the same residents. A wider and a periodic study on herds of bovine, ovine and cross species transmission to humans is recommended. This will aid policy making in combating cross transmission of brucellosis.

Key words: Seroprevalence, brucellosis, humans, bovine and ovine.