Preliminary study on prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle owned by tuberculosis positive and negative farmers and assessment of zoonotic awareness in Ambo and Toke Kutaye districts, Ethiopia
A cross sectional study was conducted from April to September, 2012 on cattle owned by tuberculosis positive and negative farmers and households to assess prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and zoonotic awareness of the households in Ambo and Guder districts, Ethiopia. A total of 398 cattle were tested using single comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The result was interpreted at >4 and >2 mm. An overall 1 and 4.02% prevalence of bovine tuberculosis at individual cattle and 7.02 and 24.56% at herd level were recorded at cut off >4 and >2 mm, respectively. Bovine tuberculosis was more prevalent in cattle owned by tuberculosis positive farmers (1.36 and 5% at individual cattle, 12 and 36% herd level) than in cattle owned by tuberculosis negative farmers (0.56 and 2.81% at individual cattle, 3.13 and 15.63% at herd level) at >4 and >2 mm cut off, respectively. Lack of awareness of the community about the zoonotic importance of the disease was observed. In conclusion, the present study indicated more prevalence of the disease in cattle owned by tuberculosis positive farmers than tuberculosis negative farmers and lack of zoonotic awareness of the households. Therefore, further study, collaboration between physician and veterinarians, and creation of awareness about zoonotic diseases were recommended.