Seroprevalence, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Porcine Brucellosis in Mifi Division, West Region Cameroon

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Brucellosis is a devastating and neglected disease that affects animal and human health worldwide. The epidemiology and knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) for this disease in pigs were observed. Materials and Methods: It is in this context that a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and KAP of porcine brucellosis in the Mifi Division of West Region Cameroon. A total of 456 sera were collected from slaughtered pigs in the Bafoussam pig abattoir. Data on pigs and their environment was collected using a questionnaire administered to 117 professionals in the pig sector to assess their KAP for porcine brucellosis and level of awareness of porcine brucellosis amongst pig professionals. All sera were submitted to the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and competitive ELISA (COMPELISA). Results: The results showed seroprevalence rates of 6.35% and 1.53% in the RBPT and COMPELISA tests respectively. Seroprevalence rates for sows were higher (2.82%) compared to boars (0.40%). With respect to age, the most sensitive age class was between 12 -36 months with a seroprevalence of 1.74% followed by animal between 6-12 months (1.47%). There was a significant difference in the seroprevalence of large white hybrid breed (2.13%) compared to local (1.45%) and Duroc hybrid (1.25%). There was no relationship between seroprevalence observed and symptoms related to porcine brucellosis. Minority 2.9 % of the surveyed population had knowledge of animal brucellosis and mode of transmission with 0.8% of them being aware of porcine brucellosis. None of the respondents knew that brucellosis was a zoonosis. Conclusion: Hence, Factors such as ignorance of the hazards and modes of transmission of zoonotic brucellosis by pig professionals have shown an increased risk factor for brucellosis in pigs and the exposure of pig professionals to the infection.