Assessment of Sero-Prevalence of Camel Brucellosis, Risk Factors, and Community awareness in Borena Zone, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Brucellosis, caused by gram-negative bacteria, is a neglected zoonotic disease affecting domestic animals and wildlife, particularly prevalent in East Africa, including Ethiopia. This study aimed to estimate seroprevalence of camel brucellosis, associated risk factors and assessment of community knowledge about brucellosis in the study area. Across-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2024 in the Gomole and Elwaye Districts of Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 384 camels from 74 house hold (herds) were randomly sampled. Serum samples were screened using the Rose Bengal plate test, with positive cases confirmed by an Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence of camel Brucellosis was found to be 2.86%with 95% and (CI: 1.6-5.1) (3.6% in Elwaye and 2.1% in Gomole), with a herd-level prevalence of 13.51%with 95% and (CI:7.5-23.1).