Documenting the absence of bovine brucellosis in dairy cattle herds in the southern region of Malawi and the associated knowledge, attitudes and practices of farmers

Authors

  • John P Kothowa University of Zambia
  • Ruth L Mfune University of Zambia
  • Jacques Godfroid University of Norway
  • Bernard M Hang’Ombe University of Zambia
  • Martin Simuunza University of Zambia
  • John B Muma University of Zambia

Abstract

There is paucity of Brucella prevalence data in Malawi. For this reason, a cross-sectional study was conducted, from 06 January 2020 to 27 February 2020, to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in dairy cattle herds amongst smallholder farmers, government and private dairy farms in the southern region. A total of 529 serum samples were screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). A pre-tested electronic (Epicollect tool, Wellcome Sanger Institute, United Kingdom) questionnaire was administered to 378 smallholder farmers to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards brucellosis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data in Microsoft Excel® and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) version 21. No animal tested positive for presence of
anti-Brucella antibodies, indicating 0% prevalence (individual and herd levels). The majority (94.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.8–96.5) of smallholder farmers had never heard about brucellosis. Furthermore, assisting during parturition without protective equipment (41.3%; 95% CI: 36.3–46.2) and using bulls for breeding (75%; 95% CI: 70.2–78.9) were amongst the common risk
practices that were identified. We could not detect brucellosis in this study that indicates the disease could be very rare or even absent in the dairy cattle herds of the southern region of Malawi. However, further Brucella studies need to be conducted in cattle, small livestock, wildlife and humans to document the true status of brucellosis in the country. Brucellosis surveillance,
monitoring, awareness and preventive measures are required to maintain this favourable situation. Keywords: bovine brucellosis (contagious abortion); dairy cattle herds; seroprevalence; knowledge; attitudes and practices; Malawi.

Author Biographies

  • John P Kothowa, University of Zambia

    Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia and Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Malawi
    Government, Lilongwe, Malawi

  • Ruth L Mfune, University of Zambia

    Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia and Public Health Department, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, The Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia

  • Jacques Godfroid, University of Norway

    Department of Artic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic
    University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

  • Bernard M Hang’Ombe, University of Zambia

    Department of Paraclinical, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia and
    Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary
    Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

  • Martin Simuunza, University of Zambia

    Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia and Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary
    Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

     

     

  • John B Muma, University of Zambia

    Department of Disease Control, School Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Downloads

Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research