The Prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle and Their Handlers in North Tongu District of Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for great economic losses in most sub-Saharan nations. Although Ghana has successfully implemented the "One Health" initiative for the control of some emerging infectious zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential like Avian Influenza, there is very limited data available on brucellosis especially human brucellosis prevalence. He objective of his study is to determine the seroprevalence of human and bovine brucellosis as well as the predisposing factors at the community level in the North Tongu District of Ghana. Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) was used to analyze blood samples from 178 cattle farmers, and 315 cattle. The positive samples were further confirmed with cELISA. Predisposing factors were determined by questionnaires administered to cattle farmers. All sample sites were geo-referenced. Results: Human and bovine brucellosis seroprevalence using RBPT were 10.1% and 22.9% respectively. Eighty six percent (62/72) of bovine cases were confirmed with ELISA. Delivery assistants were more likely to be infected (p=0.043) with odds ratio of 2.7. Out of the human cases (18), males constituted 88.9%. Ages 11-20 years recorded 77.7% seropositivity whilst cattle drovers represented 44.5% (8/18) of positives. Significant risk factors in cattle were herd size (p=0.037), history of retained placenta (0.000) and abortion (0.005). Conclusion: Bovine and human brucellosis is prevalent in North Tongu district, Ghana. Close contact with parturient cows was a major predisposing factor for human infection. Early referral of positive persons to the Hospital for confirmation and treatment is required to comply with the "One Health" initiative on brucellosis and other zoonoses.

Seroprevalence of Q fever in cattle, sheep and goats in the Volta region of Ghana

“…Tasiame et al . () reported a prevalence of bovine Brucellosis of 23% in the North Tongu area. How much of the abortions occurring in the study area due to Q fever and/or in concomitant with other abortion causing infections is yet to be determined.…”

“…An overall prevalence of 21% was (Kanout e et al 2017) was an indication that it could be widespread in Ghana, although not reported and surveilled. According to Tasiame et al (2016), about 80% of the livestock population in the Tongu districts were bred and the area served as a major source of breeding stock to other livestock farms in southern Ghana. The latter together with heavy flow of livestock through transhumance and commercial purposes into northern Ghana suggest that Q fever could be widespread in most livestock communities in Ghana.…”

“…Birth materials from the infected animals could serve as a source for infection, not only to the remaining flock but to the farm attendants and inhabitants living in close proximity to the farms. Tasiame et al (2016) reported a prevalence of bovine Brucellosis of 23% in the North Tongu area. How much of the abortions occurring in the study area due to Q fever and/or in concomitant with other abortion causing infections is yet to be determined.…”

“…The Tongu area is one of the largest livestock producing areas in Ghana with an estimated population of 34 564 cattle, 53 260 sheep and 78 310 goats (VSD ; Tasiame et al . ).…”

“…There are 25 districts in the Volta region with a total population of 61,904 cattle, 422,292 sheep and 617,165 goats (VSD annual report, 2016). The Tongu area is one of the largest livestock producing areas in Ghana with an estimated population of 34 564 cattle, 53 260 sheep and 78 310 goats (VSD 2012;Tasiame et al 2016).…”