Abstract

A cross - sectional study was conducted in Hammer and Dasenech Districts of South Omo Zone to determine seroprevalence of caprine brucellosis and its potential risk factors. Simple random sampling method was used to select 384 adult goats with no previous history of vaccination against brucellosis in the two districts. Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (mRBPT) and complement fixation test (CFT) were used as screening and confirmatory tests, respectively. The results revealed that 16 goats (4.2%) were found seropositive for caprine brucellosis by mRBPT test and CFT. Seroprevalence of caprine brucellosis was not significantly affected by sex, age and flock size while it was significantly associated with abortion rate and parity number. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that brucellosis is prevalent at a low rate in South Omo Zone and appropriate control measures should be employed to prevent the spread of the infection to other animals.

Key words: Caprine brucellosis, seroprevalence, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.