Abstract

A serological survey of brucellosis was carried out in three selected local government areas of Taraba state to determine the current status of the disease in the field, especially in the nomadic Fulani breeding herds. A test using the Brucellaabortus Rose Bengal Plate Test antigen to test the sera of bovine, ovine and caprine for presence of Brucellaabortus antibodies and Milk Ring Test antigen was also carried out to determine the presence of Brucellaabortus antibodies in milk of lactating cows. A total of 555 samples, comprising 330 sera samples and 225 milk samples were examined. 50 sera samples of bovine and 30 sera samples each of ovine and caprine, making 110 samples and 10 millitre of milk samples from 75 lactating cows were examined from each of the selected local government areas of Jalingo, Zing and Ardo-kola in Taraba state. Overall prevalence of brucellosis from the sera and milk samples were 60(18.2%) and 17(7.65%) respectively. There was a statistically significant association between the serological tests (P0.05). There is need to carry out more studies to determine the current status of the disease in the remaining local government areas and in humans.

Keywords:Brucellosis, MRT,RBPT,Seroprevalence, Taraba state