Academic Journal of Animal Diseases 4(3): 124-129, 2015 ISSN 2079-200X © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajad.2015.4.3.95124 Corresponding Author: Saddam Mohammed, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. Tel: +251918150427. 124 Sero-Prevalence of Brucellosis in Goats Purchased for Slaughter in Selected Export Abattoirs, Ethiopia Saddam Mohammed, Getachew Tuli, Seleshi Nigatu and Gizat Alemaw 1 2 1 2 Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, 1 Faculty of Vet. Medicine, University of Gondar, Ethiopia National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia 2 Abstract: A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 to determine the sero- prevalence of brucellosis in selected sheep and goat product export abattoirs and to assess the possible association of different epidemiological risk factors with the occurrence of the disease. A total of 450 sera were collected from goats in those selected export abattoirs, using systematic random sampling technique. Rose Bengal Plate Test was used as a screening test and detected 1.56% (N=7) of the samples as sero positive. Up on further testing by CFT for confirmation, only 1.11% (N=5) of the samples were positive. In this study there was no statistically significant relationship observed between the risk factors like age, origin and sex (P>0.05), although higher prevalence was observed in adults (1.97%), but statistically significant relationship was observed between sero-prevalence and body condition of animals, where higher prevalence was observed in poor body conditioned goats (p<0.05). Even though the overall prevalence observed in this study was relatively low, the finding still has the capability to indicate the presence of the disease and the importance of intervention in the areas from which the goats are supplied or produced as there is risk of spread of the disease which is economically important. Prevalence of the disease in those export abattoirs may lead to prohibition of export of slaughtered goats to Middle East and other countries to preclude risk of zoonosis. This in turn results in loss of income from the export sector. Therefore, awareness creation for animal owners and implementation of strategic control measure is necessary to prevent further spread of the disease in the study area. Key words: Brucellosis CFT Abattoirs Goats RBPT Cross Sectional INTRODUCTION economies of many underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia is an agricultural based country and owns cash turnover [2]. huge number of small ruminants, estimated to be 48.2 The small ruminants and their meat/milk products million head of sheep and goats [1]. Of the total number represent an important export commodity, which of goats (about 21.7 million head), 70% are found in low significantly contribute to the national economy. Goats land pastoral areas. This is because they are well adapted together with sheep contribute to a quarter of the to hot and dry conditions and provide golden domestic meat consumption; about half of the domestic opportunity to alternatively exploit the potential of wool requirements; about 40% of fresh skins and 92% of pastoral areas. Goats are highly adapted to broad range the value of semi- processed skin and hide export trade. of environmental conditions. Moreover, low cost of It is estimated that 1,078,000 sheep and 1,128,000 goats are production, requirement of little land and higher used in Ethiopia for domestic consumption annually. prolificacy made them attractive assets for development. There is also a growing export market for sheep and goats This makes investment in these animals avoid losses due meat in the Middle Eastern Gulf states and some African to high inflation rates that are found in unstable countries. At optimum off take rates, Ethiopia can export Ethiopia. This is because sheep and goats provide rapid