Observations on brucellosis in Nagpur Region, India

Area of Science:

• Veterinary epidemiology
• Infectious disease surveillance
• Animal health economics

Background:

• Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease impacting cattle globally.
• Bovine brucellosis poses economic challenges to dairy industries.
• Understanding regional sero-prevalence is crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the Nagpur region, India.
• To identify risk factors associated with higher brucellosis incidence in cattle.
• To inform control strategies and public health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a sero-epidemiological survey involving 953 cattle samples.
• Utilized serological tests to detect antibodies against Brucella species.
• Analyzed data to identify variations in prevalence based on cattle type and farm management.

Main Results:

• Overall sero-prevalence of bovine brucellosis was found to be 9.7%.
• Higher incidences were recorded in local non-descript cattle breeds.
• Dairy farms exhibited a greater prevalence compared to other farming systems.

Conclusions:

• Bovine brucellosis is endemic in the Nagpur region, necessitating targeted control programs.
• Local cattle and dairy operations represent key areas for intervention.
• Potential increase in incidence due to the cow slaughter ban requires proactive disease management strategies.