SERO-PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BRUCELLOSIS IN GOATS AND SHEEP AND ASSESSMENT OF PASTORALISTS, KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS BRUCELLOSIS IN GARISSA COUNTY

Abstract

Brucellosis, a zoonosis of major public health importance, is endemic in livestock in Kenya. Unfortunately, reliable data on Brucellosis in Kenya is scarce and data on sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with small ruminant Brucellosis in Garissa County is unknown. This was a cross-sectional study carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of Brucellosis and identify herd-level factors associated sero-prevalence in small ruminants in Garissa County of North Eastern Kenya. The study also assessed the pastoralists’ knowledge, attitude and practices towards Brucellosis. A total of 2,400 sera from 120 flocks were collected from sheep and goats which were randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling technique and data on potential herd-level factors were collected from the pastoralists’ ≥15 years using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The sera were analyzed using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and sero-positive reactors confirmed by Complement Fixation Test (CFT) using serial interpretation. A sample was considered to be positive when both tests results were positive and a herd was considered positive when a single animal within the herd tested positive on both tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate for independent factors associated with flock Brucellosis sero-positivity in small ruminants. The overall sero-prevalence of Brucellosis at individual animal-level was 20.0% (95% CI: 18.2% to 22.0%); in goats 24.3% (95% CI: 21.8% to 27.1%) and sheep 12.5% (95% CI: 10.2% to 15.2). Overall true herd-level sero-prevalence was 65.8% (95% CI: 54.3% to 77.2%). Seeking veterinary services [aOR=0.30 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.76], introduction of new animals into the flock [aOR=8.0 (95% CI: 3.09 to 20.70] and experiencing abortions in the flock [aOR=3.43 (95% CI: 1.33 to 8.88] were independently associated with Brucellosis herd sero-prevalence in small ruminants. A total of 120 pastoralists were interviewed of which 95 (79%) had heard of Brucellosis and 17(18%) mentioned bacteria/germ as cause. Forty-four (46%) would do nothing if they had aborting animal in their herd, 91 (96%) consumed raw milk in the past year and 72 (76%) assisted an animal during parturition process and none used glove. The study highlights considerable high sero-prevalence of Brucellosis and factors that contributes for its transmission in small ruminants in Garissa County. This poses potential public health threat associated with zoonotic transmission. The study also highlights that though the community has some knowledge on Brucellosis, attitudes and practices are poor. Enhanced public health education by the County government is recommended for effective prevention and control of Brucellosis in animals and humans in the area. Need to conduct animal-human linked study in the area for holistic understanding of epidemiology of the disease in the area.