Integrated human-animal sero-surveillance of Brucellosis in the pastoral Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia

Background Brucellosis is widespread in Ethiopia with variable reported prevalence depending on the geographical area, husbandry practices and animal species. However, there limited information disease amongst pastoral communities, whose life intricately linked their livestock. Methodology We conducted an integrated human-animal brucellosis sero-surveillance study two adjacent regions, Afar Somali region (SRS). This cross-sectional included 13 woredas (districts) 650 households. Blood samples were collected from people livestock species (cattle, camel, goats sheep). Sera analyzed C-ELISA for camels shoats (sheep goats), I-ELISA cattle IgG ELISA humans. Descriptive inferential statistics analyses performed. Results A total of 5469 sera tested by ELISA. Prevalence was 9.0% 8.6% SRS (ranging 0.6 to 20.2% at woreda level). In humans, 48.3% 34.9% 0.0 74.5% 68.4% all households 57.5% had least one reactor. Overall, 4.1% animals a history abortion. The proportion abortion higher seropositive than seronegative animals. Risk factor analysis showed that female significantly risk being reactors ( p = 0.013). Among species, 0.014). clear regional association 0.002). older people, highest odds seropositive. Conclusion humans communities existence hotspots. No seen between human particular prevalence, hence no indication as whether B . abortus or melitensis are circulating these areas, which warrants further molecular research prior embarking national control programs. Such programs will need be tailored context.