Prevalence of brucellosis in ruminants and the risk of human exposure in rural delta of Egypt

This study aimed to assess seroprevalence of brucellosis in ruminants and the risk of human exposure to Brucella species. A cross-sectional survey was performed in 546 randomly selected households in rural Nile Delta, Egypt. A questionnaire was administered to the household head to collect data about livestock management and risk factors for brucellosis. In addition, serum samples were collected from 699 cattle and 286 sheep for serological investigation against brucellosis. A quantitative exposure assessment model was developed to estimate the probability of human exposure to Brucella species via contact with ruminants and/or consumption of raw milk and homemade dairy products. The brucellosis seroprevalence in cattle and sheep was 13.87% and 10.84%, respectively. The mean annual probability of human exposure to Brucella spp. via contact with cattle (0.98) was the highest followed by the probability of exposure via consumption of home-made dairy products (0.96), processed from cattle milk. The quantitative exposure assessment model demonstrated that the current livestock owners' practices would increase the risk of human and livestock exposure to Brucella infection. In conclusion, contact with cattle and consumption of homemade dairy products were the main routes of human exposure to Brucella species in the rural Nile Delta. Educational campaigns for controlling brucellosis and other zoonoses shall target preferred information channels as field veterinarians. Such campaigns shall be supported by resources that would help disease management at the farm level, thus reducing human exposure.