Abstract:
Brucella melitensis biotype 1 was confirmed in indigenous, outbred goats in three northern districts of
the KwaZulu-Natal province following the diagnosis of human Malta fever in the same area. Six foci of
infection were found during an extensive serological survey involving 6 266 goats carried out in most of
the districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province. The prevalence in the positive herds varied between 17%
and 100%. The diagnosis was confirmed by culturing milk samples from serologically positive animals.
Infected goats were found in only three districts (Ubombo, lngwavuma and Pongola) and all infected
herds fell within a 50-km radius.
