Seroprevalence study on brucellosis in goats in some high-risk areas of Bhutan

Abstract

Brucellosis in goats is caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella ovis. Brucella melitensis is also known to cause Brucellosis in human. It causes abortion, retention of placenta, and orchitis in male animals and losses is mainly accounted due to abortions in goats. Goat population is concentrated in the southern districts; free mixing up of animals with those of across the international border occurs in these areas leading to high risk of incursion of disease. Brucellosis in cattle has been reported in the country however, it’s prevalence in goats have not been established before hence, study on seroprevalence in goats were conducted in two of the high-risk districts. Retrospective screening of 949 goat sera samples for Brucella antibody were conducted. The samples were collected during March 2021 from 16 villages of 3 sub-districts under Chukha district and 25 villages of 8 subdistricts under Sarpang district. Sera samples were tested using Rose Bengal Test and Enzyme Linked-immunosorbent Assay. All the samples, tested negative to Brucella antibodies. However, screening of more samples from other districts needs to be conducted