Jelalu Kemal Birmeka Poster 2023

jelalu kemal

Mr Jelalu Kemal Birmeka

 

 

Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Public Health Importance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Eastern Ethiopia

Poster Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis is among the primary zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis which has significant impact on the health of livestock and human. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 cattle in eastern Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and assess cattle owners’ awareness on its public health implication. Random sampling method was applied in order to select animals from farm/household and associated risk factors were recorded before purified protein derivative (PPD) injection. The overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 20.3% (n = 64) in dairy cattle at recommended cut off >4mm. From a total of 43 farms/households tested, 22 were positive; each farm exhibited at least one tuberculin positive reactor animal with a total herd level prevalence of 51.2%. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in individual animal level was significantly different (χ2 = 45.2; P-value = 0.000). Farming system, herd size and other risk factors were significantly (p<0.05) associated with bovine tuberculosis occurrence. Of the total interviewed owners, 33% had the knowledge of or had heard about bovine tuberculosis and 23% respondents were aware of the zoonotic importance of the disease. More than 50% of the interviewees had shown their preference of raw milk consumption. From the total interviewed households, 3 (7%) farm workers had TB cases that had direct contact with the animals. The study showed bovine tuberculosis is highly prevalent. Associated risk factors contributed to the prevalence of the disease in cattle and its transmission. Moreover, the majority of cattle owners lack awareness about the disease and its public health significance. Awareness rising about the disease, its transmission and zoonotic implication is of great importance for reduction and control measures. Evidence of tuberculosis patient farm attendants calls also for further detail investigation.

Biography

Jelalu Kemal is an instructor at Haramaya University where he has been a faculty member since 2009. His specialty is Microbiology and interested in common zoonotic and foodborne pathogens that are transmitted between human and animals. He has been serving the University in teaching, research activities and community services. He involved in various positions including quality enhancement and assurance coordinator. Jelalu has published more than 30 peer reviewed articles in national and international reputable journals. He is currently an affiliate member of VALIDATE.