Estimating prevalence of brucellosis in livestock and assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of respective communities in baringo county, Kenya

Brucellosis is an infectious, contagious and important zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of genus Brucella. World Health Organization considers brucellosis the most spread zoonosis in the world. Brucellosis has been documented to be highly prevalent among the pastoral communities in Kenya. This study aimed at establishing the disease situation in Baringo County, by determining the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in cattle, sheep and goats; isolate and characterize the Brucella species affecting these livestock and assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with brucellosis transmission in livestock in Baringo. Cattle, sheep and goats were randomly selected and tested for presence of Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Test (RBPT). Milk from cattle were also subjected to Milk Ring Test (MRT). All the samples will be further tested using c-ELISA and polymerase chain reaction. A structured questionnaire was also administered and data obtained analyzed using Instat® V3.36. 16.98% (9/53) of the livestock owners interviewed reported at least one or more management practices that can favor spread of brucellosis between/within livestock herds/ flocks and subsequent infection to humans. Milk samples processed so far, 11.54% (6/52) have reacted positive on MRT, while 10.07% (15/149) bovine serum samples were positive on RBPT. 13.04% (12/92) and 8.23% (6/73) of the caprine and ovine sera samples respectively were positive for Brucella on RBPT. This study shows that brucellosis exists in livestock in Baringo, and most livestock owners have practices that favors brucellosis spread; therefore calling for urgent dissemination of information to the respective communities on brucellosis control/management measures in animals and subsequent reduction in human infections.