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ISDS 2018 Conference Abstracts

Title: Sero-prevalence of bovine and human brucellosis 
on selected farms in South-western Uganda
Mary L. Nanfuka*
Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda

Objective
To determine the seroprevalence of Brucellosis antibodies in 

cattle in 3 districts in South-western Uganda (Mbarara, Kiruhura and 
Bushenyi) and to determine the seroprevalence of Brucellosis among 
the cattle keepers on farms with cattle detected with brucellosis 
antibodies in the same districts and also to determine the level of 
awareness of Brucellosis disease among individuals that get in contact 
with livestock in the same districts

Introduction
Brucellosis is among the zoonotic diseases that continue to afflict 

man and animals in Uganda. The increase in the number of disease 
outbreaks in animals from 1990 to 2013 and the number of human 
patients diagnosed with brucellosis in private clinics and hospitals 
has placed the infection to be among the top re-emerging diseases 
in the country. Brucellosis infection in humans is non-specific and 
caused by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their 
products. Brucellosis manifests as intermittent fever, headache, 
weakness, profuse sweating, chills, weight loss, generalized aching 
that may involve multiple organ systems in the body. In animals, 
Brucella organisms localize in the reproductive organs, causing 
abortions, decreased milk yields and temporary sterility. Its effects 
impact negatively to the sale value of the affected animals causing 
financial losses to the animal owners.

Methods
Purposive surveys were conducted in selected farms that were in 

an area with reported human cases. Ethical clearances were sought. 
Screening for Brucellosis was done using SAT. All positive samples 
were subjected to i-ELISA that detects IgM immunoglobulins. A total 
of 1503 cattle from 113 farms were tested for Brucellosis

Results
Brucellosis test results from a total of 1503 cattle showed a sero-

prevalence of 14% in Kiruhura, 18% Bushenyi and 23% Mbarara 
districts respectively. ELISA-positive Brucella cases from farm 
attendants on the sampled farms in the same districts had a prevalence 
of 4% in Kiruhura, 9% in Bushenyi and 12% in Mbarara

Conclusions
Our findings underscore Brucella exposure as one of the major re-

emerging diseases that should be treated with great concern by both 
Ministry of Health and MAAIF. We therefore recommend that the 
Ministries of Health and Agriculture should increase on community 
sensitization on the risk of Brucella infections in humans from cattle, 
and promote measures that can protect high risk families from getting 
infected. This survey indicated that Brucellosis infections are still 
prevalent in Uganda and continue to occur in the local communities. 
The public health and animal health service providers need to work 
together in compiling the disease epidemiological data for a concerted 
disease intervention measures.

Keywords
Brucellosis; Sero prevalence; South Western Uganda

Acknowledgments
I am very grateful to the United States Department of Agriculture 
Biosecurity Enhancement Programme (USDA/BEP) for funding my 
MSc programme. 
Dr Robert Tweyongyere who was a co author of this work

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*Mary L. Nanfuka
E-mail: nanfukamry@gmail.com

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics * ISSN 1947-2579 * http://ojphi.org * 10(1):e171, 2018