Prevalence of Brucella abortus in buffaloes of Mafikeng game reserve, North West province, south Africa: a retrospective study

Abstract

A retrospective study to explore the trends of Brucella abortus in buffaloes of Mafikeng game reserve was conducted for the period 2008-2010 using the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) raw data. Testing of buffaloes for brucellosis, FMD, Tuberculosis and Theileriosis is mandatory under South African law before moving buffaloes. Those found positive are usually never allowed to move. This therefore means that most buffaloes in well secured game ranches are expected to be free of the disease. It is against this background that this study examined Rose Bengal and CFT test records generated over a six months period in buffaloes at this game reserve. A total of 83 out of 365 buffalo records examined were found to be positive. This accounts for 0.23 percent prevalence of Brucella abortus during the study period. Even though the levels seem low, the fact that it should not be found at all is a concern and has implications on recreation in the game reserve and trading of these buffaloes.