Economic impact of caprine and ovine brucellosis in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh

Background: Brucellosis is one of the ancient re-emerging zoonotic diseases which play a significant economic impact on public health and livestock sector. Many studies were carried out on the epidemiology of the disease recently but economic importance was not focused on those studies. This study was conducted to determine the true prevalence and economic impact of caprine and ovine brucellosis in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic study covering all upazilas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh was conducted during the period from January to December, 2016. The data related to age, sex, abortion record and reproduction disorders were also collected on the sampling day using a questionnaire. Blood samples ( n=2593) were collected from randomly selected native goat and sheep where Rose Bengal Test, Rapid Brucella AB test kit and MAb-ELISA (Monoclonal antibody based blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) were used to identify the positive reactors. Results: The prevalence of caprine and ovine brucellosis was estimated to be 1.6% whereas it was found to be 1.56% and 1.64 % in goats and sheep respectively. The prevalence data was incorporated to the economic model to quantify the financial loss due to brucellosis. The total losses attributed to the disease was 48436400 taka (605455 US$) annually in the district whereas 46462900 taka (580786.25 US$) and 1973500 taka (24668.75 US$) in goat and sheep respectively. Conclusions: The study concluded that brucellosis silently constitutes economic loss to the economy of the country and the producers due to insufficient knowledge and inadequate diagnostic facilities, lack of awareness and an effective prevention and control strategy.