Review on Epidemiology and Economic Impact of Small Ruminant Brucellosis in Ethiopian Perspective

Abstract

Brucella are intracellular bacteria that cause brucellosis, a chronic zoonotic disease. The genus of Brucella are subdivided into six
species categorized by antigenic variation and primary preferred host and these include B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, B. ovis, B. canis
and B. neotomae. The epidemiologies of the disease in livestock and humans, as well as appropriate preventive measures, are not
well understood in developing countries. Materials excreted from the female genital tract acting as the main supply of organisms
for transmission to other animals and human. Millions of individuals are at risk worldwide, especially in countries where infection
in animals has not been brought under control, procedures for the heat treatment of milk, such as pasteurization are not routinely
applied, and standards of hygiene in animal husbandry are low. A precise diagnosis of brucellosis is important for the control of
the disease in animals and consequently in human. Molecular and serological techniques are important tools for diagnosis and
epidemiologic studies, providing relevant information for identification of species and biotyping. The economic and public health
impact of bucellosis remains particular concern and neglected in developing countries. The disease mainly hampers the productivity of small ruminant’s resulting infertility and increase the average inter-calving periods. One of the major gaps in our knowledge
at present is the relative contribution of brucellosis on small ruminant and humans. In Ethiopia, no strategy is in place to control
brucellosis. The most important approach to the control and prevent human of brucellosis in human and animal is the practice
of one health approach. So knowing the status of small ruminant brucellosis in our country is therefore extremely important.
Therefore, the aims of this review are; a) To highlight (snapshot) of brucellosis in the small ruminant; b) To show the seroprevalence status of small ruminant brucellosis in Ethiopia perspective; c)To highlight possible risk factor and its economic importance.