Prevalence of brucellosis and risk factors among cattle in Kalongo town council, Agago district.

Abstract

Brucellosis is a key zoonosis of major public health, animal welfare, and economic significance, and is endemic in livestock in Uganda. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Brucellosis, Identify the risk factors associated with Brucellosis among cattle in Kalongo Town Council, Agago District, Northern Uganda and document the practices associated with the control of Brucellosis. A total of 114 serum samples and questionnaires were obtained, the sera were analyzed using Rose Bengal agglutination test. Prevalence was obtained by descriptive analysis where frequencies and proportions were obtained. Risk factors were analyzed at univariate and bivariate levels, using Chi square and the logistic regression analysis. The overall sero-prevalence was 14.9% (17/114, 95% Confidence Interval. The mixed breed (crosses) were twofold at increased odds of having brucellosis (or=2.083, 95%ci=0.644-6.734) as compared to the local breed animals. However, the likelihood of these animals having brucellosis was not significant. The management systems show that animals on free range were up to threefold at increased odds of having brucellosis (or=3.103, 95% CI=0.168-6.617) as compared to those on semi-intensive care; moreover, the likelihood was highly significant (p<0.01). The history of purchase shows that animals purchased outside the locality were at increased odds of having brucellosis. Strict bio-safety and bio-security and management are some of the measures to control the disease. The data highlights brucellosis occurrence and major risk factors for its transmission in cattle in Kalongo town council, Agago District. The study found that the prevalence of 14.9% was in conformation with the existing findings with association between sero-positive animals to risk factors such as age, breed, management system, sex and large herd size. Improvement in farm bio-security and hygiene practices and avoidance of buy in animals are recommended control measures.