The status of cattle brucellosis in Ethiopia: A review

Brucellosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by member of the genus Brucella. Bovine Brucellosis is an important disease of cattle, which has zoonotic importance with substantial economic losses. Risk factors that can predispose to brucellosis include Animal factors, Pathogen factors, environmental factors, managemental factors and occupational risk factors. Hence, knowledge of brucellosis occurrence in traditional livestock husbandry practice has considerable importance in reducing the economic and public health impacts of the disease. The possible sources of infections include all infected tissues, aborted fetus, vaginal discharges, cultures and potentially contaminated materials. The pathogenesis of the diseases lies on the presence of the bacteria, in the cells and employing various methods to survive in the phagocytic cells. The disease can be transmitted from infected host to susceptible animals in direct and indirect contacts. However, the most common mode of transmission is sexual contact. Various methods are employed for the diagnosis of brucellosis including microscopic examination, culture methods, serological and molecular biology. In Ethiopia, Brucella sero prevalence with in extensive cattle rearing system is lower than that of intensive systems.  The most rational approach for control of B. abortus infection is by vaccinating young female animals. To deal with diseases like brucellosis, the public in general and high-risk groups in particular should be made aware of the zoonotic and economic importance of brucellosis through veterinary extension education.