# Low Seroprevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Communal Areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa

## TL;DR

A study in South Africa found that brucellosis is much less common in communal cattle in Limpopo province than previously thought, with less than 1% showing signs of the disease.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on brucellosis seroprevalence in communal cattle in Limpopo, revealing unexpectedly low rates and identifying Mopani district as the primary source of positive cases.

## Key findings

- Brucellosis seroprevalence in Limpopo's communal cattle was found to be 0.79%.
- All positive reactors were from the Mopani district, suggesting localized risk.
- The low prevalence is attributed to effective control strategies by provincial veterinary services.

## Abstract

Brucellosis is a disease that affects both animals and people, mainly spread through infected cattle, and it can harm farming and public health. In South Africa, little is known about the occurrence of this disease in cattle kept on communal farms. This study looked at cattle from three districts in Limpopo province to find out how many cattle had been exposed to the brucella species. Blood samples from over one thousand cattle were tested, and the results showed that less than 1% of the animals carried signs of the disease. Most positive reactors came from one district only. The findings suggest that brucellosis is much less common in Limpopo’s communal cattle than previously thought. Knowing that the level of infection is low is important for farmers, veterinarians and policymakers, as it means current strategies are working, but continued monitoring is needed. These results help protect both animal and human health, support safe food production and contribute to the wellbeing of rural communities in South Africa.

Brucellosis is caused by Gram-negative coccobacilli of the Brucella genus, with cattle mainly infected with Brucella abortus. The disease burden is a threat to socioeconomic development (agriculture/tourism) as well as to animal health, biodiversity and to human health due to the zoonotic nature of this pathogen. In South Africa (S.A), the prevalence of the disease in cattle and livestock in general is mostly unknown in communal farms. A cross-sectional study with a multistage sampling strategy was applied in communal areas from three district municipalities, i.e., Mopani, Capricorn and Sekhukhune of Limpopo province, South Africa. Sera (n = 1133) were collected and screened for antibodies against the Brucella species using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and confirmation of positive reactors with a Complement Fixation Test (CFT). The brucellosis seroprevalence was found to be 0.79% (95% CI: 0.38–1.45) by a CFT. Univariate analysis indicated that only the frequency of birth was significantly associated with CFT positivity (OR = 20; 95% Cl: 1.61–247.99; p = 0.039). The multivariable logistic regression model revealed that the frequency of birth, age, breed, gender, municipality and district were not statistically significant predictors at 0.05 level. However, some variables like cattle aged more than five years, had higher odds of CFT positivity compared to those younger than five years (OR = 5.66; 95% CI: 0.36–87.97), although the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.215). All positive reactors detected originated from the Mopani district municipality. Overall, the findings reveal a much lower seroprevalence of brucellosis in the communal farms of Limpopo province than previously assumed. We are of the opinion that the low seroprevalence is attributed to effective control strategies implemented by the Limpopo provincial veterinary services and hence provide important information to assist the regulatory bodies in the control and eradication of the disease.