Sero-Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Public Health Significance of Small Ruminant Brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis that is primarily spread from cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and camels through direct contact with blood, fetuses from the placenta, or uterine secretions, as well as through consumption of contaminated raw animal products (especially unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses) in areas where it is endemic. Therefore, the objective of this paper are to explain the Current Epidemiological Aspects of Brucellosis and the Importance of Smallruminant Brucellosis for Public Health and briefly illustrate the Economic Importance of Smallruminant Brucellosis. Aborted fetuses, fetal membranes, vaginal secretions, and milk from sick sheep and goats are all potential sources of infection. Gram-negative, facultative, intracellular bacteria known as Brucella are the main cause of brucellosis. B. ovis, which affects sheep, and B. melitensis, which primarily affects goats, are the two species of the Brucella genus that cause small ruminant brucellosis. Abortion in the latter trimester of pregnancy, stillbirth, and the birth of poor offspring in females, and acute orchitis and epididymitis in males, are the main symptoms in naturally infected sheep and goats. Worldwide, brucellosis affects domestic animals like cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and pigs. It poses a serious economic challenge to the intense and widespread livestock production systems in the tropics as well as a risk to the general public's health. Diagnostic procedures can be divided into two groups: those that reveal the existence of the organisms, and those that reveal an immune response to its antigens. Generally speaking, it is not attempted to treat infected cattle due to the high treatment failure rate, expense, and potential issues associated with retaining infected animals in the face of ongoing eradication attempts. Effective vaccination and hygienic practices would lessen the spread of the disease in/from endemic regions. In order to control the disease in humans, prevention of the disease in reservoir hosts is crucial. Tested and slaughtered animals should then be properly disposed of.Government, public health officials, and veterinarians must work together to decrease the economic and zoonotic implications of brucellosis.