Brucella Prevalence in Goats and Farmers’ Awareness and Practices towards Brucella Infection in Giwa Area of Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To detect and determine the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in goats and farmers’ awareness and practices towards Brucella infection in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Experimental Design: A cross sectional study was used in this research. Place and Duration of Study: Giwa area in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was conducted from July, 2014 to June, 2015. Methodology: Two hundred and eighty serum and 113 milk samples (from lactating Does) were collected from goats in Giwa area of Kaduna State. Of the six districts in the area, 52 samples were collected from 10 households in Kakangi, 45 from 9 households in Giwa, 43 from 8 households in history and gestation period at the time of abortion. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that goats in Kaduna State harbour antibodies to Brucella and the farmers’ awareness and practices towards Brucella infection is insufficient. There is a need to further enlighten the farmers on the zoonotic implication of brucellosis, Brucella infection prevention and control.