Human Brucellosis in Garzeted Forest Areas: A Case of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans by ingestion of infected food products, direct contact with infected animals or inhalation of aerosols. Brucella, a facultative intracellular pathogen, has the ability to survive and multiply in phagocytes and cause abortion in cattle and undulant fever in humans. Brucella species especially B. mellitensis, B. abortus and B. suis, represent a significant public health concern and at present, B. mellitensis is the principle cause of brucellosis. The cross section study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Brucellosis and its risk factors. The participants came from the out patient’s department of the hospital in the month of December of 2012, January and February of 2013. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of brucellosis, demographic distribution and risk factors. The study employed an interview guide to collect socio-demographic data and laboratory methods that is to say, titration of respondents’ serum to obtain reactive samples respectively. The results showed that the prevalence was 10.7%. Socio-demographic results showed that females are more infected with brucellosis than males with prevalence 12.5% and 8.6% respectively. Consumption of animal products ranked first among risk factors for brucellosis in the community, followed by having animals at home, lacking animal houses, having a history of brucellosis in the family and lastly consuming un boiled milk. Considering the calculated prevalence and risk factors, it is clear that brucellosis is a big health problem in the community served by Bwindi Community Hospital, and therefore much work needs to be done in sensitization of community members and the hospital staff