EVIDENCE OF BRUCELLA ANTIBODIES IN MILK OF COWS IN THE NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In view of the socio-economic and cultural roles played by Cow milk in Nigeria, a study was carried out to determine the status of bovine brucellosis in the North Senatorial District of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Six local Government areas (LGAS) from the North Senatorial district of Kaduna State were used for the study. A total of 202 milk samples from apparently healthy lactating cows were collected and subjected to the Milk Ring Test (MRT) between the Months of July, 2013 and January, 2014. From the 202 samples subjected to the MRT, 77 (38.1%) tested positive while 125 (61.9%) tested negative. The highest prevalence was obtained from Kubau LGA (54.8%) while the least prevalence of 20.0% each was obtained from Ikura and Makarfi LGAs respectively. There was however no statistical significant difference in the prevalence rates between LGAS. The high prevalence of Brucella antibodies in the milk of sampled cattle indicates the great public health risk posed to humans in the study area to infection with Bruclla spp. Stake holders in the Livestock sector should be educated on the public health implication of the dis ase in other animal species and humans.