Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that affects animals and humans. Despite being common in livestock, information on the disease in slaughtered cattle in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State is scarce in available literature. This study determined the seroprevalence of brucellosis in slaughtered cattle and identified the risk practices for its transmission among abattoir workers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey. Using systematic random sampling of one in twenty, one hundred (100) cattle were selected over a six-month period for the survey, made up of 69 Sokoto Gudali, 30 White Fulani and one Red Bororo; 99 adults and one young; 81 males and 19 females. Data generated were analyzed with Chi-square and p-values less than 0.05 considered significant. Results showed that the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis at the abattoir was 6%. The brucellosis seroprevalence was significantly (p = 0.018) associated with breed: White Fulani cattle having a significantly higher seroprevalence than the Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo. The seroprevalence was not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with age or sex. The respondents engaged in practices that exposed them to Brucella infection: A good proportion of the abattoir workers (55%) tasted raw meat and 52% of them handled fetuses while on duty at the abattoir without wearing personal protective equipment. Use of hand gloves was found to be significantly associated (p = 0.001) with the level of education. Regular screening of cattle slaughtered at the abattoir for brucellosis and increasing the awareness of abattoir workers with regards to brucellosis was recommended.

Keywords: Brucellosis; Seroprevalence; Slaughtered cattle; Abakaliki abattoir, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Risk practices; Abattoir workers.

How to cite this article:
Ezeh CG, Ogugua AJ, Obialor NQ, Chukwudi CU and Onunkwo IJ (2024). Seroprevalence of brucellosis in slaughtered cattle and
risk practices for its transmission among workers at the Abakaliki abattoir, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and
Applied Sciences, 14(1): 580 – 593.

*Correspondence: E-mail: ogugua.akwoba@unn.edu.ng Phone: +2348033844475

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in slaughtered cattle and risk practices for its transmission among workers at the Abakaliki abattoir, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Chinelo G. Ezeh ^{1, 2}, Akwoba J. Ogugua ^{1, *}, Nnenna Q. Obialor ², Chinwe U. Chukwudi ³ and Ikechukwu J. Onunkwo ¹
¹ Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
² Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.