Seroprevalence of ruminant brucellosis in three selected local government areas of Taraba state

A serological survey of brucellosis was carried out in three selected local government areas of Taraba state to determine the current status of the disease in the field, especially in the nomadic Fulani breeding herds. A test using the Brucella abortus Rose Bengal Plate Test antigen to test the sera of bovine, ovine and caprine for presence of Brucella abortus antibodies and Milk Ring Test antigen was also carried out to determine the presence of Brucella abortus antibodies in milk of lactating cows. A tota l of 555 samples, comprising 330 sera samples and 225 milk samples were examined. 50 sera samples of bovine and 30 sera samples each of ovine and caprine, making 110 samples and 10 mill itre of milk samples from 75 lactating cows were examined from each of the selected local government areas of Jalingo, Zing and Ardo-kola in Taraba state. Overall prevalence of brucellosis from the sera and milk samples were 60(18.2%) and 17(7.65%) respectively. There was a statistically significant association between the serological tests (P<0.05). Sera samples examined showed that 32(21.3%) bovine, 10(11.1%) ovine and 18(20%) caprine were positive using Rose Bengal Plate Test(RBPT) in the three local government areas, with Jalingo recording 22(20%), Zing 21(19.1%) and Ardo-kola 17(15.5%). Whereas milk samples examined using Milk Ring Test (MRT) showed that Zing recorded 9(12%), Ardo-kola 6(8%) and Jalingo 2(3%) positive results. This result showed that Jalingo recorded the highest sero-prevalence rate of 20%, while Zing recorded the highest prevalence of 22% in milk of lactating cows. There was no significant statistical association between location, age and sex (P>0.05). There is need to carry out more studies to determine the current status of the disease in the remaining local government areas and in humans.