Seroepidemiology of Equine Brucellosis and Role of Horse Carcass Processors in Spread of Brucella Infection in Enugu State, Nigeria

Aim: The study was undertaken to obtain baseline data on seroepidemiology of equine brucellosis and role of horse carcass processors in spread of Brucella infection in Enugu State. Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal plate test was used to screen for presence of Brucella antibody in 402 horses slaughtered for human consumption in the State. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics and involvement of 94 randomly selected horse carcass processors in slaughterhouse practices that facilitate spread of Brucella infection during slaughterhouse operations. Results: An overall seroprevalence of 3% (12/402) was recorded. Seroprevalence of 8.8 %, 2.1% and 1.9% were obtained from young (1-5 years), adult (6-12 years) and old (>12 years) horses respectively. Similarly, seroprevalence of 6.8% and 1.4% were recorded for females and males respectively while 4% and 2.2% seroprevalence were documented during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Significant association (p < 0.05) was found between Brucella seropositivity and age and sex. Slaughterhouse practices facilitating dissemination of Brucella infections identified among horse carcass processors and the percentage of the processors involved were: non-use of protective wears during abattoir operations (77.7%), sale of horse fetuses or pregnant uterine contents for human consumption (38.3%) and discharge of eviscerated fetuses or gravid uterine tissues by open dump method of waste disposal (68.1%). Conclusion: Although the 3% seroprevalence is low, establishment of brucellosis control programme in Enugu State is imperative to avert devastating public health and economic consequences of brucellosis in animal and human populations.