Rift Valley fever and Brucella spp. in ruminants, Somalia

Abstract

Background Fourteen-years after the last Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus (RVFV) outbreak, Somalia still suffers from preventable transboundary diseases. The tradition of unheated milk consumption and handling of aborted materials poses a public health risk for zoonotic diseases. Limited data are available on RVF and Brucella spp. in Somali people and their animals. Hence, this study has evaluated the occurrence of RVFV and Brucella spp. antibodies in cattle, goats and sheep sera from Afgoye and Jowhar districts of Somalia. Methods Serum samples from 609 ruminants (201 cattle, 203 goats and 205 sheep), were serologically screened for RVF by a commercial cELISA, and Brucella species by modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (mRBPT) and a commercial iELISA. Results Two out of 609 (0.3 %; 95 %CI: 0.04–1.2 %) ruminants were RVF seropositive, both were female cattle from both districts. Anti-Brucella spp. antibodies were detected in 64/609 (10.5 %; 95 %CI: 8.2–13.2 %) ruminants by mRBPT, which were 39/201 (19.4 %) cattle, 16/203 (7.9 %) goats and 9/205 (4.4 %) sheep. Cattle were 5.2 and 2.8 times more likely to be Brucella-seropositive than sheep (p = 0.000003) and goats (p = 0.001), respectively. When mRBPT-positive samples were tested by iELISA, 29/64 (45.3 %; 95 %CI: 32.8–58.3 %) ruminant sera were positive for Brucella spp. Only 23/39 (58.9 %) cattle sera and 6/16 (37.5 %) goat sera were positive to Brucella spp. by iELISA. Conclusions The present study showed the serological evidence of RVF and brucellosis in ruminants from Afgoye and Jowhar districts of Somalia. Considering the negligence of the zoonotic diseases at the human-animal interface in Somali communities, a One Health approach is needed to protect public health.

Exploring the Complex Landscape of Spine Brucellosis

“…The most common complication involves the musculoskeletal system, leading to conditions like arthritis, spondylitis, and sacroiliitis. These manifestations are accompanied by various non-specific clinical symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle and joint discomfort, headaches, and sweating [ 21 ]. It is important to note that some spine-related diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and pyogenic osteomyelitis, may share radiological similarities with spondylitis in their diagnosis [ 22 ].…”

One Health in Somalia: Present status, opportunities, and challenges

“…Additionally, our recent data exploring Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and Brucella sp. in ruminants [ 22 ]. and the first comprehensive study on ticks infesting cattle and molecular characterization of hemoplasmas [ 23 ] will contribute to future evolutionary and epidemiologic investigations in the country.…”

“…Local practices of drinking raw milk and dealing with aborted or dead animals without personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the community create an enabling environment facilitating the transmission of zoonotic pathogens [ 21 , 22 ]. Moreover, slaughtering livestock under poor hygienic conditions and proper meat inspection, sometimes in inappropriate places like rivers and water points, and mismanaging animal by-products can lead to environmental pollution and zoonotic diseases spreading throughout the community ( Fig.…”

“…Zoonotic diseases are a major concern in Somalia. Diseases like brucellosis, RVF, Q fever, and toxoplasmosis pose significant health risks and economic burdens [ 21 , 22 , 32 ]. However, the surveillance, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases face challenges due to limited resources, inadequate diagnostic capabilities, and weak surveillance systems.…”

The Link Between Animal Welfare and Sustainable Development: Lessons for Somalia. A Review Article

“…Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to livestock populations, impacting both their health and welfare. Outbreaks of diseases such as Rift Valley fever or contagious bovine pleuropneumonia can result in significant economic losses and animal suffering (Hassan-Kadle et al, 2021;Mohamed et al, 2021). Strengthening veterinary infrastructure, enhancing disease surveillance systems, and promoting vaccination campaigns are essential components in safeguarding animal health and improving welfare standards (Mohamud et al, 2020;OIE, 2021a).…”