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 seroprevalence and risk factors associated with small ruminant Brucellosis in Garissa County
is unknown. This was a cross-sectional study carried out to determine the seroprevalence 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 seroprevalence 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
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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