Ruminant Brucellosis in the Kafr El Sheikh Governorate of the Nile Delta, Egypt: Prevalence of a Neglected Zoonosis

Abstract

BackgroundBrucellosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis allegedly reemerging in Middle Eastern countries. Infected ruminants are the primary source of human infection; consequently, estimates of the frequency of ruminant brucellosis are useful elements for building effective control strategies. Unfortunately, these estimates are lacking in most Middle East countries including Egypt. Our objectives are to estimate the frequency of ruminant brucellosis and to describe its spatial distribution in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in which 791 sheep, 383 goats, 188 cattle milk tanks and 173 buffalo milk tanks were randomly selected in 40 villages and tested for the presence of antibodies against Brucella spp. The seroprevalence among different species was estimated and visualized using choropleth maps. A spatial scanning method was used to identify areas with significantly higher proportions of seropositive flocks and milk tanks. We estimated that 12.2% of sheep and 11.3% of goats in the study area were seropositive against Brucella spp. and that 12.2% and 12% of cattle and buffalo milk tanks had antibodies against Brucella spp. The southern part of the governorate had the highest seroprevalence with significant spatial clustering of seropositive flocks in the proximity of its capital and around the main animal markets.Conclusions/ SignificanceOur study revealed that brucellosis is endemic at high levels in all ruminant species in the study area and questions the efficacy of the control measures in place. The high intensity of infection transmission among ruminants combined with high livestock and human density and widespread marketing of unpasteurized milk and dairy products may explain why Egypt has one of the highest rates of human brucellosis worldwide. An effective integrated human-animal brucellosis control strategy is urgently needed. If resources are not sufficient for nationwide implementation, high-risk areas could be prioritized.

Brucellosis in low-income and middle-income countries

“…Seroprevalence studies conducted throughout the developing world demonstrate that when one looks, Brucella infection is frequently found among sampled livestock populations [11–15,16 ▪▪ ].…”

Sero-Prevalence of Small Ruminant Brucellosis in Three Selected Districts of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

“…Brucellosisis considered aneglected zoonosis by the world health organization and has been identified as having the highest public health burden across all sections of the community [9]. In human, Brucellosis is always caused by B. melitensis (cause Undulant or Malta fever) followed by B. suis, B. abortus and B. canis [10].…”

Temporal Analysis and Costs of Ruminant Brucellosis Control Programme in Egypt Between 1999 and 2011

“…However, results from other regional or subregional studies indicated that the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle and buffalo was ranged from about 3% to 17% (Samaha et al., ; Hegazy et al., ; Holt et al., ; Mahboub et al., ). The proportion of seropositive sheep was around 2% except in 2009 (3.7%), which is quite lower than findings by other regional studies (3% to 26%) (Samaha et al., ; Hegazy et al., ; Holt et al., ; Mahboub et al., ). However, poor implementation of random sampling strategies increases the unreliability of the outcomes (Hegazy et al., ).…”

“…However, it is unlikely that farmers would be satisfied with the level of compensation as it represents <50% of the market value. This could be one of the main factors hindering the success of the control programme (Hegazy et al., , ; Holt et al., ). Farmers may be more willing to comply with serological testing requirements if compensation was given at the market value of the positive animals and the process of compensation was easier and faster than it is currently.…”

“…In another study, in which samples were collected from 126 herds from all over Egypt, 26.66%, 18.88% and 17.22% of sheep flocks, goat flocks and cattle herds were seropositive for Brucella spp., respectively (Kaoud et al., ). In Kafrelsheikh Governorate, blood samples from sheep and goats and milk samples from cattle and buffalo were tested for Brucella spp; the seroprevalence in cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats was 12.2%, 12%, 12.2% and 11.3%, respectively (Hegazy et al., ). In one of the Nile Delta villages, Monufia Governorate, the individual and household seroprevalence of Brucella spp.…”