Incidence and knowledge of bovine brucellosis in Kahuro district, Murang'a County, Kenya.

Brucellosis in cattle is a zoonosis mainly caused by Brucella abortus. In Kenya, the disease is widespread, but its prevalence is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate incidence rates of brucellosis and farmers' knowledge on the disease in Kahuro district, Murang'a County.

Strong Association Between Human and Animal Brucella Seropositivity in a Linked Study in Kenya, 2012-2013.

Brucellosis is a common bacterial zoonotic infection but data on the prevalence among humans and animals is limited in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three counties practicing different livestock production systems to simultaneously assess the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for brucellosis among humans and their livestock (cattle, sheep, camels, and goats). A two-stage cluster sampling method with random selection of sublocations and households was conducted.

Infection of cattle in Kenya with Brucella abortus biovar 3 and Brucella melitensis biovar 1 genotypes.

Brucella melitensis biovar 1 was isolated from bovine milk samples from a herd in central Kenya, and Brucella abortus biovar 3 was isolated from aborted fetus materials and vaginal discharge fluids from cattle in central and eastern provinces of Kenya. All infections including those with B. melitensis were in cattle with reproductive problems kept in mixed herds indicating that cross infection occurs from small ruminants.