Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis in the Dasenech and Gnangatom districts of the South Omo zone, southern Ethiopia

Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease typically caused by Brucella abortus in cattle. The current study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and its associated risk factors in the Dasenech and Gnangatom districts of the South Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study, supported by a questionnaire survey, was conducted from March 2023 to June 2024. A total of 314 serum samples were collected from bovine using systematic random sampling and the respondents’ knowledge of the disease was also assessed. The serum samples were screened using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), retested using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT) for confirmation, and revealed an individual animal seroprevalence of 8% (95% CI = 5.45–11.49%). A history of abortion ( P = 0.001, OR = 30) and retained fetal membranes ( P = 0.001, OR = 16.65) were significantly associated with seropositivity for brucellosis. Furthermore, the findings indicated that pastoralists in the study area had a low level of awareness of brucellosis and undertook risky practices that could expose them to the disease. The prevalence of bovine brucellosis in the study area was high, indicating the need for intervention strategies to limit the spread of the disease. This study recommends continuous awareness creation for pastoralists about the nature and effects of the disease through formal and informal education.