Abstract:
In this retrospective study, complete Brucella serology data from the annual national
brucellosis testing program and disease investigation for the years 2008-2010 was
collated and analyzed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in sheep in the Karas
Region of Namibia. A total of 22994 serological results from 762 flocks screened using
the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and confirmed using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
were analyzed. An overall prevalence of 0.14% was recorded over the three years.
Yearly prevalence was 0.19% (2008), 0.05% (2009) and 0.18% (2010). At district level,
brucellosis prevalence was estimated to be between 0% and 0.49%. On positive farms
(n=32), prevalence was between 2.25% and 30%. True prevalence was zero at district
level and in all the three study years. We concluded that the prevalence of Brucella
antibodies in sheep was low taking into account that some farmers may have vaccinated
against the disease. The low prevalence confirms the effectiveness of existing
brucellosis control measures implemented by the official veterinary services.
