The Prevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Small Scale Dairy Cattle Herds in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

The prevalence of bovine brucellosis was determined in Small Scale Dairy Cattle Herds (SSDCH) of urban and peri-urban areas of Dar-es-Salaam and Morogoro. The influence of herd size, grazing system and type of insemination on the spread of the disease was also assessed. A total of 222 herds (154 in Dar-es-Salaam and 68  in  Morogoro)  comprising  of  908  (40  bulls  and  868 cows) sexually mature animals  were  screened  for  brucellosis  in  both  towns. The prevalence was assessed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) serological test.  Prevalence rates of brucellosis in the two towns were 7.6 % for Dar-es-Salaam and 22.1 % for Morogoro. None of the bulls reacted positive to the test. Sixty one herds (27.5 %) were infected. The prevalence increased with increasing herd size and the disease was more prevalent in grazing than in zero grazing herds (P < 0.01). Seropositivity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in animals using natural service than in those using artificial insemination (AI). In conclusion, the high prevalence rate of brucellosis in SSDCH requires urgent control strategies if the small scale dairy sector is to avoid the big economic loss due to brucellosis