Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health
- ISSN: ISSN: 3065-9078
Mulugeta Abera
Brucellosis is economically important zoonotic bacterial disease caused by the genus Brucella. Brucellosis occurs worldwide, except for few countries that have been successfully eradicated. The Aborted fetus, fetal membrane and uterine discharges are considered as the major source of infection. Bovine brucellosis is mainly transmitted to animals by ingestion of contaminated feed and water, by contact with infected aborted fetus, fetal membrane and genital discharges and by artificial insemination from infected bulls. The bacteria are preferentially localized mainly in the reproductive tract of pregnant animals and consequently cause late abortion, retained fetal membrane and infertility, whereas orchitis and epididymitis are seen in males. The overall studies of bovine brucellosis in Ethiopia range from 1.1% to 22.6% and 0.05% to 15.2% in intensive and extensive management systems respectively. Brucellosis is mainly transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, occupational case direct contact with infected animal and their discharges. The prevalence of Bovine brucellosis depends on the standards of environmental hygiene, animal husbandry practices and species of the causative agent. Brucellosis has been widely reported from cattle in Ethiopia. This requires formulating effective control strategies are needed that includes surveillance to identify infected animals, prevention of transmission to non-infected animals and removal of the reservoir to eliminate the source of infection.