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Map showing the study sites, namely; the four states where this study was conducted, the location of abattoirs, cattle camps and Wau-hospital.
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Background: In this study, we focused on three zoonotic brucellosis risk groups; abattoir workers, febrile cases at Wau hospital and cattle herders, in Bahr el Ghazal region, South Sudan. Competitive c-ELISA was used to detect anti-Brucella antibodies in 725 individuals between December 2015 and May 2016. In addition, questionnaire metadata, focus...
Citations
... The disease is prevalent in regions with extensive livestock farming, such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan (Recht et al. 2020). Lack of awareness, limited access to healthcare facilities, and poor veterinary control programs contribute to the high burden of brucellosis in these areas (Madut et al. 2019). Moreover, nomadic lifestyles and the consumption of raw animal products perpetuate the spread of the disease . ...
Brucellosis (Malta fever, Mediterranean fever, or undulant fever) is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. This disease affects both humans and animals, posing significant public health and economic concerns worldwide. Brucellosis remains a prevalent global issue, particularly in regions with inadequate veterinary control and surveillance systems. The transmission of brucellosis occurs primarily through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated products such as unpasteurized milk, cheese, and meat. The disease can spread through inhalation of infected aerosols or contaminated environmental sources. Human-to-human transmission is rare but possible, mainly through sexual intercourse, vertical transmission from mother to child, or laboratory. Clinically brucellosis in humans varies widely showing a flu-like illness, with symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, myalgia, and joint pain. In some cases, brucellosis can become chronic and lead to more severe complications, such as arthritis, endocarditis, neurologic disorders, and reproductive. The management of brucellosis involves a multidisciplinary approach, i.e. accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and comprehensive surveillance and control measures. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy, typically administered for several weeks or months, depending on the clinical presentation and severity of the disease. Preventive measures include the implementation of vaccination programs for livestock, strict hygiene practices in animal husbandry, pasteurization of dairy products, and public education regarding the risks associated with consuming unpasteurized animal products. Control of brucellosis requires collaboration between veterinary and human health sectors, as well as active participation from governments, international organizations, and communities. Improved diagnostic methods, surveillance systems, and public awareness are crucial to reducing the burden of brucellosis and preventing its spread.
... Personal protective equipment (PPE) 9/16 (9,102,(122)(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128) Knowledge of diseases 12/16 (9,12,41,68,102,(123)(124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129) Training/educational programs 3/16 (123,127,128) Sanitation/meat safety 6/16 (12,125,(127)(128)(129)(130) Infrastructure improvement 2/16 (12, 125) Animal trading and cross-border animal movement 2/16 (131,132) Consuming raw or undercooked animal products 6/16 (9,41,122,124,126,127) Public awareness 1/16 (123) Listed are the number of articles that evaluated and provided results on a given subject. ...
Abattoirs are facilities where livestock are slaughtered and are an important aspect in the food production chain. There are several types of abattoirs, which differ in infrastructure and facilities, sanitation and PPE practices, and adherence to regulations. In each abattoir facility, worker exposure to animals and animal products increases their risk of infection from zoonotic pathogens. Backyard abattoirs and slaughter slabs have the highest risk of pathogen transmission because of substandard hygiene practices and minimal infrastructure. These abattoir conditions can often contribute to environmental contamination and may play a significant role in disease outbreaks within communities. To assess further the risk of disease, we conducted a scoping review of parasites and pathogens among livestock and human workers in abattoirs across 13 Eastern African countries, which are hotspots for zoonoses. Our search results (n = 104 articles) showed the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and macroparasites (nematodes, cestodes, etc.) in cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, camels, and poultry. Most articles reported results from cattle, and the most frequent pathogen detected was Mycobacterium bovis, which causes bovine tuberculosis. Some articles included worker survey and questionnaires that suggested how the use of PPE along with proper worker training and safe animal handling practices could reduce disease risk. Based on these findings, we discuss ways to improve abattoir biosafety and increase biosurveillance for disease control and mitigation. Abattoirs are a ‘catch all’ for pathogens, and by surveying animals at abattoirs, health officials can determine which diseases are prevalent in different regions and which pathogens are most likely transmitted from wildlife to livestock. We suggest a regional approach to biosurveillance, which will improve testing and data gathering for enhanced disease risk mapping and forecasting. Next generation sequencing will be key in identifying a wide range of pathogens, rather than a targeted approach.
Food safety including imported food and produced food, is a major issue for South Sudan. An effective safety food control system for guiding and eliminating hazardous food from the market is lacking. Milk is one of the food products consumed in South Sudan; however, there is limited information regarding its handling and safety, especially among pastoral communities. Therefore, this study assessed raw milk quality and handling practices by pastoral communities at cattle camps in the Rejaf East, South Sudan. The study was conducted in three cattle camps (Highland, Kadoro, and Jebel Amianin) of the Rejaf East. Raw milk handling practices in the cattle camps were assessed using a questionnaire and observation checklist among 240 households selected randomly. The physicochemical and microbial parameters were assessed in 75 samples of raw milk using standard methods. The findings revealed that milking handling practices at cattle camps are characterized by hygienic and unhygienic practices. The pastoral communities had no access to a cooling system for milk storage. Additionally, 90.8% of the households in cattle camps consumed unboiled raw milk, and 10% of the households experienced milk rejection at the point of milk sale. The overall means of the physicochemical parameters of the milk samples were as follows: fat = 7.76 ± 1.47%, SNF = 7.68 ± 0.26%, density = 1.03 ± 0.00 g/ml, lactose = 4.21 ± 0.15%, protein = 2.81 ± 0.09%, freezing point = -0.51 ± 0.03 ⁰ C, and pH 6.60 ± 0.21. The results of the microbiological quality of the raw milk indicated that the highest TVC (5.81 ± 0.51 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Jebel Amianin; on the other hand, the highest TCC (4.64 ± 0.21 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Kadoro, and the highest TSC (2.53 ± 0.31 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Highland Boma. The study indicated that pastoralists in cattle camps do not observe hygienic practices, including drying hands after handwashing or washing with udder and teats before milking. Furthermore, the study showed that the microbiological quality of raw milk samples obtained from the Rejaf East has a high bacterial load; therefore, there is a need to improve hygiene practices in milk production.
Food safety including imported food and produced food, is a major issue for South Sudan. An effective safety food control system for guiding and eliminating hazardous food from the market is lacking. Milk is one of the food products consumed in South Sudan; however, there is limited information regarding its handling and safety, especially among pastoral communities. Therefore, this study assessed raw milk quality and handling practices by pastoral communities at cattle camps in the Rejaf East, South Sudan. The study was conducted in three cattle camps (Highland, Kadoro, and Jebel Amianin) of the Rejaf East. Raw milk handling practices in the cattle camps were assessed using a questionnaire and observation checklist among 240 households selected randomly. The physicochemical and microbial parameters were assessed in 75 samples of raw milk using standard methods. The findings revealed that milking handling practices at cattle camps are characterized by hygienic and unhygienic practices. The pastoral communities had no access to a cooling system for milk storage. Additionally, 90.8% of the households in cattle camps consumed unboiled raw milk, and 10% of the households experienced milk rejection at the point of milk sale. The overall means of the physicochemical parameters of the milk samples were as follows: fat = 7.76 ± 1.47%, SNF = 7.68 ± 0.26%, density = 1.03 ± 0.00 g/ml, lactose = 4.21 ± 0.15%, protein = 2.81 ± 0.09%, freezing point = -0.51 ± 0.03 ⁰ C, and pH 6.60 ± 0.21. The results of the microbiological quality of the raw milk indicated that the highest TVC (5.81 ± 0.51 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Jebel Amianin; on the other hand, the highest TCC (4.64 ± 0.21 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Kadoro, and the highest TSC (2.53 ± 0.31 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Highland Boma. The study indicated that pastoralists in cattle camps do not observe hygienic practices, including drying hands after handwashing or washing with udder and teats before milking. Furthermore, the study showed that the microbiological quality of raw milk samples obtained from the Rejaf East has a high bacterial load; therefore, there is a need to improve hygiene practices in milk production.
Food safety including imported food and produced food, is a major issue for South Sudan. An effective safety food control system for guiding and eliminating hazardous food from the market is lacking. Milk is one of the food products consumed in South Sudan; however, there is limited information regarding its handling and safety, especially among pastoral communities. Therefore, this study assessed raw milk quality and handling practices by pastoral communities at cattle camps in the Rejaf East, South Sudan. The study was conducted in three cattle camps (Highland, Kadoro, and Jebel Amianin) of the Rejaf East. Raw milk handling practices in the cattle camps were assessed using a questionnaire and observation checklist among 240 households selected randomly. The physicochemical and microbial parameters were assessed in 75 samples of raw milk using standard methods. The findings revealed that milking handling practices at cattle camps are characterized by hygienic and unhygienic practices. The pastoral communities had no access to a cooling system for milk storage. Additionally, 90.8% of the households in cattle camps consumed unboiled raw milk, and 10% of the households experienced milk rejection at the point of milk sale. The overall means of the physicochemical parameters of the milk samples were as follows: fat = 7.76 ± 1.47%, SNF = 7.68 ± 0.26%, density = 1.03 ± 0.00 g/ml, lactose = 4.21 ± 0.15%, protein = 2.81 ± 0.09%, freezing point = -0.51 ± 0.03⁰C, and pH 6.60 ± 0.21. The results of the microbiological quality of the raw milk indicated that the highest TVC (5.81 ± 0.51 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Jebel Amianin; on the other hand, the highest TCC (4.64 ± 0.21 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Kadoro, and the highest TSC (2.53 ± 0.31 logCFU/ml) was recorded in Highland Boma. The study indicated that pastoralists in cattle camps do not observe hygienic practices, including drying hands after handwashing or washing with udder and teats before milking. Furthermore, the study showed that the microbiological quality of raw milk samples obtained from the Rejaf East has a high bacterial load; therefore, there is a need to improve hygiene practices in milk production.
Consumption of unsafe animal-source foods is the major cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in low-income countries. Despite current knowledge of the threat posed by raw milk consumption to human health, people in many countries in East Africa still consume unboiled milk. This literature review explored the association between milk consumption and the occurrence of five milk-borne bacterial zoonoses: brucellosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, Escherichia coli infections, and tuberculosis. A search for literature published up to October 1, 2021 was conducted through the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The selection process yielded 65 articles describing studies conducted in East Africa 2010-2021, which were carefully scrutinized. The most investigated pathogen was Brucella spp. (54.5%), followed by Escherichia coli (18.2%), Salmonella spp. (12.1%), Mycobacterium spp. (6.1%), and Escherichia coli O157: H7 (6.1%). The most common predisposing factors for potential milk-borne disease outbreaks were consumption of contaminated raw milk, inadequate cold storage along the milk value chain, poor milk handling practices, and lack of awareness of the health risks of consuming unpasteurized milk. Thus a tailor-made training program is needed for all milk value chain actors to enhance the safety of milk sold in informal markets, and a One Health approach should be applied. Future studies should employ more advanced diagnostic techniques and countries in East Africa should invest in modern diagnostic tools and equipment, both in hospitals and in local rural settings where most cases occur.
Background: Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease. In the Sub-Saharan Africa, where the prevalence of brucellosis is not clear and the disease has been reported in most parts of Africa including Eritrea. To this date, the level of knowledge and brucellosis status in the livestock owners’ of Northern Red Sea region, Eritrea, was unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice, and determine the prevalence of brucellosis in livestock owners in the Northern Red Sea region, Eritrea.
Methods: It was a descriptive community-based cross-sectional study where villages and households were selected by simple random sampling and systematic random sampling respectively. A total of twenty-nine villages and 22 livestock owners from each village were selected randomly. Blood samples were screened using Rose Bengal plate test and positives further confirmed using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Predesigned structured questionnaire was used as data collection tool. A written informed consent was obtained from each study participants. Data were entered into CSPro and analyzed by SPSS software. Results were presented in percent and frequencies.
Results: A total of 637 respondents were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 42.96. Respondents were dominated by males (74.9%) and Tigre (73%) in ethnicity. Majority of them were illiterate (55.5%) and 70.5% were farmers. The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis in the selected community was found to be 1.8% with the highest prevalence in Gindae (3.9%) followed by Shieb (3.6%) subregion. The comprehensive good knowledge and practice was rated as 58.4% and 10.5% respectively. A significant association was also shown with age, ethnicity, religion, level of education, occupation and subregions of the respondents (p <0.001).
Conclusion: The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis in the livestock owners in the study region was generally low. However, they had lower level of knowledge and very poor practice. Their level of knowledge and practice showed significant association with their age, ethnicity, level of education and sub-regions. Increasing community awareness, introducing Brucella vaccination to animals and strict controlling of selling of unpasteurized milk to the consumers are highly recommended.
We determined the incidence and clinical manifestations of human brucellosis from patients who attended a referral hospital in South of Saudi Arabia. A record-based retrospective study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2019 at King Abdulla Hospital, Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Information on patients’ demographic characteristics, detailed records of signs and symptoms, and the laboratory findings were reviewed. Of 6,586 patients included, 15.8% (n = 1,041) were infected with brucellosis. The age of infected individuals ranged from five to 95 years, with an average of 35.1 ± 21.2 years. Most infected patients were male (72.3%). Young adults (26–44 years) were the most common age group with the disease (34.1%). The annual rate of infection significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) from 33.2% in 2015 to 12.5% in 2019. An escalating number of brucellosis cases was seen in the spring and peaked during the summer. Fever (35.3%), joint pain (25.5%), generalized body ache (10.7%), and neurological symptoms (10.0%) were the most frequent clinical manifestation associated with brucellosis. Joint pain was commonly found among children (44.4%). Neurological findings were more frequent among adult patients. The study concluded that brucellosis is endemic in Southern Saudi Arabia and needs local health authority to implement preventive and educational program measures. Infected patients may present with diverse, nonspecific clinical manifestations that require intuition from clinicians to detect the disease.
