Prevalence of Brucellosis in Goat and Sheep in the Lake Victoria Zone of Tanzania as Determined by Serum Agglutination Test (SAT)

Abstract

A total of 1655 unvaccinated goats and sheep of both sexes aged 6 months and above belonging to a total of 22 animal establishments and comprising 17 units of Local Small East African (SEA) goats (n=396) and Local Masai Red (MR) sheep (n = 318); and 5 units of Exotic Kamorai Boer crosses (KB) goats (n= 499) and Exotic Black Head Persian (BHP) sheep (n=442) were screened by serum agglutination test (SAT) method as a directive from Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture to control Brucellosis in cattle, sheep and goats. This exercise began with screening of all farms practising good management which had controlled grazing and receiving regular veterinary supervision and inputs. Indigenous animals kept by local subsistence farmers receiving no veterinary supervision and inputs found in the vicinity of the former category were also screened. Generally all exotic breeds were comparatively better cared for than all the local breeds.  Breed prevalence rates were Exotic KB goats 0. 8% < Local MR Sheep 1.3% < Local SEA goats 2.3 % < and Exotic BHP sheep 4.3%. Statistical analyses indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) between exotic and local goats.  Values between exotic and local sheep were deemed significant (p<0.05). Moreover breed prevalence between Local goats and sheep revealed no significant difference in sero-prevalence rates at p>0.05. However similar comparisons between Exotic goats and sheep were found to be highly significant (p<0.001)